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What dimensions are most appealing for a hobby book - not a date-mint or catalog type?
RogerB
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What book dimensions do members prefer in a soft or hard cover book? Here are three common sizes shown to relative scale.
These books will be in color with numerous illustrations and source notes – all of which become smaller as the book’s height and width shrink.
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I prefer the 8-1/2 x 11, but for some texts with relatively little information the mid-size is better to keep it from being too thin.
6 X 9 is easy to hold and does not weigh a ton. I just picked up the DeWitt ./ Sullivan book, and that's its size.
"Coffee table books" look impressive, but they are a bear to read. I suppose if you have large photos to show, they are okay, but if you are talking about historical text and the like, they are undesirable.
Bigger is better.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Double elephant folio - with hand colored plates, maybe ?
I like the 6x9 unless there are large high resolution images. Then I would go for the 8 1/2 X 11 size. I do like those images especially went they clearly show the variations.
Big with Big Profesional Quality Photos
If it's a reference book that I'd typically keep at home, I'd prefer the 8 1/2 x 11. If it's a book that I'd be inclined to take with me, say, to a coin show, 6 x 9 (with spiral binding) would be easier to carry around and flip through.
Rocking my "shiny-object-syndrome"!!!
Probably not something one would take to a coin show unless there was time for reading about coins and currency rather than buying and selling.
I prefer the larger size. I've seen smaller and just too many pages and lettering size just too small.
6 x 9 inches.
If I'm going to spend $50 or so on a nice coin book, I'd like a full size hardcover.
But if the price is substantially less and it's something that I'd use at shows, then smaller size like the Red Book is preferred.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
The 7x10 size is my choice.
The large version. So aging eyes don't have to strain so much. Prevents bringing out the loupe to read as well.
My preference would be 6 by 9 which is a nice bookshelf size.
8.5 x 11
Go big or go home otherwise your tiny book gets cast out and off the book shelves. Maybe it could team up with other shorties and make book stops best case scenario
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Your "Proof Coins 1936 - 1942" is 8½ X 11 and works well for font size and illustrations / photos. The 7 X 10 would work if the font was big along with the illustrations / photos. It would be easier to carry and hold while reading. So depending on the subject I'd go for either one.
The 6 X 9 seems more suited for a field guide. To fit all the info it would have to be thicker with out compromising the font size too much and the detail in bigger photos.
Soft cover is fine. You could offer a premium version hard back. Don't forget a PDF version for mobile use.
I prefer the 8.5 x 11 size for my reference material.... I have a couple in larger sizes and smaller ones..... Just got a few out and held/opened/carried them a bit..... the preference, for me, is the 8.5x11....Cheers, RickO
the large size. I have limited shelf space for books so I will assume that bigger also equates to thinner.
I'll also assume that photos and diagrams can be a bit larger and easier to see.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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@RogerB
It would be great to have example text and pictures in the three sizes to compare.
For now, I lean toward the larger dimension book for any coin pics.
Large, easy to read type, lots of high quality pictures, coffee table acceptable to fit in with periodicals like "Architectural Digest".
Hemispherical - OK. Here's the illustration with a page from the book "From Mine to Mint" added for scale. The 6x9 version is directly from the printed book. For the other two the same text and illustration were converted to larger page sizes and print fonts. The type sizes are (L-R) 12 pt; 11 pt; and 10 pt - all Times New Roman. [The 6x9 sample is off center due to normal binding offset.]
Visual differences are more noticeable at actual size than in these proportional samples.
Notice in the 8-1/2 x 11 sample, the photo did not require as much enlargement as in the other two. This created empty space on the page which could be used for additional text or simply to increase image size. Basically, a larger page offers more options for text and photo layout.
@RogerB
Would the pictures loose any definition if expanded to the largest size on the 8.5x12?
I am liking the 12pt on the 8.5x12, but if the pictures looses any definition then the 7x10 works.
I prefer 6x9:
much less expensive to print
easier to read than double or wide column text on 8.5 x11
font size generally is not smaller on 6x9
margins can be relatively more narrow on 6x9, the 8.5x11 has wide margins and wasted space
I prefer end notes at the end of the book than footnotes - makes the text flow better
images have improved so much that 6x9 provides excellent sharpness
6X9 for me...
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Twelve point type in a 6x9-in book will require extra pages and considerable kerning of text and images.
That’s pretty big for the smaller size. I’ve read those Reader’s Digest with the large type. While it’s ok. Would not want it in a coin book. The sizes you previously posted sounded good. IMO.
I think I like the size of the "From Mine to Mint" book, 6x9 best -- I'll know better when I get my copy at the next Fairfax Coin Club meeting
7x10 A compromise between text size, portability and storability.
For stay at home book... go big. Larger font and larger illustrations for ole time eyes.
8-1/2 x 11 is my preference.
Hmmm....maybe I'll try a "pan-dimensional" edition.
Awaiting the description of a “pan-dimensional” book. 📚📖
I'm partial to 6x9. Good hand-feel.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Absolutely 8 1/2 x 11.
With apologies for mentioning another author, one of my favorite non-reference books is Bevill's "Paper Republic: The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas" which, at 11x11, is even larger than this and rather thick at 350 pp. I cannot imagine how much thicker it would have been if printed in a smaller size.
...or, what about rotating the dimensions by 90-degrees with binding on the left? This works well on some of David W Lange's books.
I vote for 8 1/2 x 11 as well.
@RogerB
You probably already know about the 2019 NLG competition, but, just in-case:
The Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG), a nonprofit organization composed of editors, authors, and writers who cover news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals, and tokens as collectibles, has announced its annual awards competition for 2019.
This year’s competition is being overseen by David Lange, the new NLG Awards Coordinator.
http://news.coinupdate.com/nlg-announces-awards-competition-for-2019/
Thanks! I don;t have anything that qualifies for this time. I expect John Danreuther's proof coin book will walk away (run away - actually) with the major awards this year.
8.5x11 is too big. I like smaller books that are easy to hold for reading. For reference works (ie. variety attributions) large books are OK, since you just look up something once and put it back on the shelf.
Agree. Awesome piece of work by J.D. with years of work poured into it.
FYI, @Hemispherical, RogerB has won 5 or 6 NLG major awards. I lose track.
....I think it's 6...2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2018 Book-of-the-Year, plus a bunch of other more specialized titles and "Extraordinary Merit" books. Last year the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle book also was awarded "Best Specialty Book." The book "From Mine to Mint" also got a special award from Silver Dollar Collectors, and there was also the Wismer Award from the Society of Paper Money Collectors.
Put me down for 7x10 if it's mostly text with some photos. For a book that is mostly photos, the larger format would be better. 8.5x11 is a bit on the big side for a typical book IMO.
Thanks all.
This discussion has helped me decide to stay with 8-1/2 x 11-inch pages for the next three books: "Girl on the Silver Dollar" "Fads, Fakes & Foibles" and "Saudi Gold." I like the hand-feel and convenience of 6x9-in but for these subjects it does not offer large enough image scale for details to show clearly in color.
All three books are research, results and information rather than date-mint-list catalogs (like the recent Inco-Gould Private Pattern book).
(For those planning their own books, it can be rewarding to give ample consideration to using B&W versus color illustrations. My experience is that B&W can communicate more effectively at smaller sizes than color - but I have only very rudimentary graphic and layout skills. A professional graphic artist might have other options.)