Question for Whitman-- is it a coincidence that several of QDB's Redbook-series are all exactly 288

Longacre · August 25, 2006 1:05PM

Maybe I have too much time on my hands, but I noticed that QDB's Whitman Type Coin book, his Morgan Dollar book, and his Shield Nickel book are all exactly 288 pages. Is this just a coincidence, or is there some publishing reason for it? I believe that the books are printed in China, so it may be possible that the Chinese printer can only handle books of 288 pages or less. Does anyone know?

Leiana · August 25, 2006 1:07PM

<< <i>Maybe I have too much time on my hands, but I noticed that QDB's Whitman Type Coin book, his Morgan Dollar book, and his Shield Nickel book are all exactly 288 pages. Is this just a coincidence, or is there some publishing reason for it? I believe that the books are printed in China, so it may be possible that the Chinese printer can only handle books of 288 pages or less. Does anyone know? >>

I know even numbers are good for printing.

-Amanda

PS-

Dentuck · August 25, 2006 1:17PM

Actually, QDB's manuscript on nickel five-cent pieces would have made a book of nearly 600 pages! So we split it into two (Shield / Liberty Head and Buffalo/Jefferson).

Most printing presses are set up to output signatures of 32 pages. Nine signatures = 288 pages.

Dave's upcoming book on Obsolete Paper Money is an impressive NINETEEN signatures ... 608 pages!

Longacre · August 25, 2006 1:29PM

<< <i>Actually, QDB's manuscript on nickel five-cent pieces would have made a book of nearly 600 pages! So we split it into two (Shield / Liberty Head and Buffalo/Jefferson).

Most printing presses are set up to output signatures of 32 pages. Nine signatures = 288 pages.

Dave's upcoming book on Obsolete Paper Money is an impressive NINETEEN signatures ... 608 pages! >>

I knew there was a logical explanation. Also, not being in the printing business, I assume that "signature" is a technical term?

RWB · August 25, 2006 1:35PM

As Dentuck suggests, page count (number of signatures) affects cost and selling price. Publishers generally have a target audience, sales goal for the first year, and price point for the retail/wholesale product. These are combined with format, print quality and other factors to generate a preferred page count. When an author writes a hobby book for a publisher, the author usually knows in advance the format, font size and page count. Nine signatures of 6x9-inch format happens to produce a book that is not too thick to overly stress soft-cover perfect binding, and yet allows a lot of information to be packed into the book. The overall size and weight are also convenient to hold and put in carry-on travel baggage.

Even signature counts are the most efficient way to assemble a book since you pay the same for an incomplete signature as for a full one.

Barry · August 25, 2006 9:45PM

So is the type and picture size adjusted to make the page count right, or is editing responsible for that?

elwood · August 25, 2006 9:48PM

Longacre.....how do you come up with this stuff?

RWB · August 26, 2006 1:33AM

"So is the type and picture size adjusted to make the page count right, or is editing responsible for that?"

Usually both, with the editor taking the lead. The writer then chips in with changes to reach the required page count. There is often a lot of informal negotiation. Sometimes a single project will be split into two or more volumes so that each volume meets the publisher's requirements for marketability. Add in image use permission and quotations and you can see that the publisher has a lot to do. Between copy editing and all the other steps necessary before the book is ready to print, there can be a considerable number of changes. Correction of the galley proofs adds to the mix also.

BAJJERFAN · August 26, 2006 4:39AM

<< Longacre.....how do you come up with this stuff? >>

He has a lot of time on his hands.

Question for Whitman-- is it a coincidence that several of QDB's Redbook-series are all exactly 288

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