Series of the world's smallest books - Sigmund Scotch - miniature - Manifesto of the P.K.W.N. 1944 - from the collection of Edward Gierek

Manifesto of the P.K.W.N - Two hand-written miniatures by Zygmunt Szkocny ( creator of the smallest book in the world). The miniatures come from the collection of Edward Gierek - First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party in the years (1970-1980) and were given to him by the artist during this period.

Zygmunt Szkocny - (1911 - 2003) - creator of handwritten miniature books, a Guinness Book of Records record holder for the world's smallest book.

He created 165 miniature booksthroughout his life, some of which were destroyed during the war. Most of the exhibits - 87 can be admired at the Museum of the World's Smallest Books of Sigmund Scotch.

He donated some of his works to various world personalities or institutions. Such gifts were received by John Paul II, Beatrix, the Queen of the Netherlands, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, Wislawa Szymborska and Edward Gierek .

Scotch's work as a miniaturist was of great interest in Poland. His talent was recognized by the daily press.

In 1937, the "Illustrated Daily Courier" published a comprehensive article presenting the then achievements of the young adept of the small form. It brought him worldwide fame and notoriety at the time. The Polish Museum in Chicago wanted to buy the entire complete collection of Zygmunt Szkocny's book miniatures, which, however, he did not sell. Had he done so, the valuable collection of the artist's early works would have been preserved in its entirety. This is because during World War II much of it was destroyed.

In 1945, Scotchny returned to miniatures. He reconstructs lost biographies and writes new ones: of Gandhi, Sklodowska, Jan Kiepura, Kosciuszko, Gutenberg, among others. With Benedictine patience, he makes smaller and smaller books.For one he needs from three months to six months.He makes his own tools. He unravels the silk threads into thinner fibers. He dilutes the ink. He also has a paper cutter of his own making. When writing, he doesn't use a magnifying glass. On top of that, he carves - each of his books has a carved pedestal - in which it is placed and shielded from dust by a glass window. "

Text sources:

https://katowice.naszemiasto.pl/muzeum-najmniejszych-ksiazek-swiata-jest-w-piotrowicach/ar/c13-4107090

https://wydawca.com.pl/2005/01/15/miniaturowe-ksiazeczki-zygmunta-szkocnego/

The miniatures presented at the auction were displayed by the artist on a wooden pedestal in the form of a " Map of Poland ", with an original card describing the work. In addition, the whole piece comes with an original leather case.

Size of miniatures 6.5 x 7.5 [mm].

Size of case : 150 x 150 [mm].

Accompanied by acertificate of authenticity and a handwritten statement by Mrs. Barbara Gierek - Edward Gierek's daughter-in-law - confirming the provenance of the item.

UNIQUE

"Manifesto of the Polish Committee for National Liberation (PKWN Manifesto, July Manifesto) - a proclamation of the Polish Committee for National Liberation to the Polish people proclaimed with the date July 22, 1944. The city of Chelm was given as the place of proclamation. In fact, it was signed and approved by Joseph Stalin in Moscow on July 20, 1944, and then also proclaimed there. The manifesto appeared in the form of a proclamation along with the first decrees of the PKWN as a provisional government."