When a numismatic book is refered to with the dreaded "coffee table book" label, does that

Longacre · December 10, 2007 7:11AM

I was aghast when I read the current issue of Esylum, and someone wrote some commentary about one of the finest numismatic books to come onto the market in several years. Referring to the book, the reviewer wrote, "[w]hether enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history, or simply as a beautiful coffee-table book..." I could not believe this term was used.

Along similar lines, I frequently see the "100 Greatest" books referred to as "coffee table books". In my mind, a "coffee table book" is a rather derogatory term, and should not be used in the same sentence as a well researched book. The 100 Greatest books are more than just a pretty coffee table book, and the book referred to in the opening paragraphy is certainly a ground-breaking work, not worthy of the dreaded "coffee table book" moniker.

Does the use of the coffee table label change your perception of a numismatic book?

bidask · December 10, 2007 7:28AM

It usually means I am the only one that reads it in my house.

doh · December 10, 2007 7:33AM

I like coffee table books personally. Usually have wonderful pictures...maybe weak on info, but usually very high quality pics.

IGWT · December 10, 2007 7:33AM

-- "[w]hether enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history, or simply as a beautiful coffee-table book..."

I think of a coffee-table book as one that's long on beautiful pictures and short on text. And it's big, but not thick.

Dentuck · December 13, 2007 11:40AM

I like to think that the 100 Greatest collection is turning the coffee-table world upside down.

Early next year 100 Greatest Ancient Coins will hit the shelves. Now, how can a book on ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coinage be fluffy and insubstantial?

Does it have eye candy? Oh, it has sweet eye candy aplenty. If that makes it a coffee-table book, then crack out the Starbucks.

AskRaq · December 13, 2007 11:45AM

"Coffee Table Book" to me means............ Big, Beautiful, Detailed Pictures.... lots of them.

That doesn't mean a lack of substantial information.... just that you won't be overwhelmed (like a textbook), often the information is condensed & to the point - with lots of illustrative pictures - to browse or read.

Aegis3 · December 13, 2007 11:46AM

<< <i>I like to think that the 100 Greatest collection is turning the coffee-table world upside down.

Early next year 100 Greatest Ancient Coins will hit the shelves. Now, how can a book on ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coinage be fluffy and insubstantial?

Does it have eye candy? Oh, it has sweet eye candy aplenty. If that makes it a coffee-table book, then crack out the Starbucks. >>

I'll have to ask. Are you Whitman people thinking up a "100 Greatest Numismatic Literature Works" or is that something I merely had a dream about? (And should I admit to that if that is the case?) Or was it a thread here?

mrearlygold · December 13, 2007 11:54AM

There's a list of numismatic books known as the 100 Greatest ??

Where is this list published ? Can someone republish this list here?

StrikeOutXXX · December 13, 2007 12:01PM

I don't think it's derogatory.

My personal definition of a coffee table book is something that is not super-deep, that guests to the house could read without being really into the subject matter. They are usually segmented to be able to read small parts of the book without needing to read the rest, and usually containing some nice pictures.

I haven't read that particular book yet, but it sounds like it would make a nice coffee-table book.

Julio · December 13, 2007 12:20PM

Longacre; think eye appeal and not data.

Should you desire you can put one on your coffee table and just maybe hook a yn into collecting.

Be careful though, you may end up showing him some real coins.

. jws

dbldie55 · December 13, 2007 12:40PM

I consider the "100 Greatest" series to be coffee table books. Recently I picked up a 100 year history of Baseball in pictures coffee table book. Only 8 bucks. It is a great book if you love the sport.

MidLifeCrisis · December 13, 2007 12:41PM

The term does make me think of an oversized book with a lot of pictures. But it doesn't change my perception of the numismatic value...the book should stand on its own; either it's worth reading or it's not.

Zoins · December 13, 2007 4:33PM

The label makes me want to pick up a copy and take a look at the photos

curly · December 13, 2007 5:38PM

I like coffee table books. I have about a dozen of them.

tightbudget · December 13, 2007 6:38PM

<< <i>It usually means I am the only one that reads it in my house. >>

Same here.

CaptHenway · December 13, 2007 11:36PM

Dave Bowers California Gold Rush book is fabulously researched and illustrated, but so dang heavy you can only read it if it is sitting on a table. Does that make it a coffee table book?

My definition of a coffee table book is something you buy to leave where people can see it and be impressed by your couth, whether you have read it or not. I am proud to say that I read every word in Dave's book, though thank God it was in galley form a handful of pages at a time.

TD

RWB · December 14, 2007 12:26AM

The term “coffee table book” dates from the time when the living room was the center of home events. After dinner, the family and guests retired to the living room for coffee – always served from a silver or fine china coffee service. This sat on a short-legged table called a “coffee table” that was convenient for seated guests. When not in use for serving coffee, the small table usually held a National Geographic magazine (an issue without bare breasted natives) and one or two expensive-looking large-format books with color photos and brief (occasionally inaccurate) captions. Visitors were expected to leaf through these books while awaiting their coffee, or return of the master or mistress from the loo. Topics were always ones meant to impress visitors – cathedrals of Europe, gems and minerals, African wildlife, ancient Greek temples, etc.

The point was to impress guests without engaging then in anything substantial.

To me, things like the “100 Best Stuff” and other picture books fit the above. However, other similar sized books (the new CA, etc.) invite the casual viewer deeper into the subject, and might be good for the coffee table only when there is a dedicated numismatic crowd.

(My own books do not belong on a coffee table – with all the B&W pictures, the kids will want to color them, and the footnotes might provoke a coronary in some guest.)

Broadstruck · December 14, 2007 1:00AM

If you stack enough coffee table books, you don't need a coffee table

Pistareen · December 14, 2007 1:02AM

Broadstruck -- when were you in my apartment?

I remember owning a coffee table, I just haven't seen it in years ...

Broadstruck · December 14, 2007 1:06AM

Pistareen, sounds like your stacking to build a Kitchen Island?

tradedollarnut · December 14, 2007 1:47AM

I'd say that the "100 Greatest" series fits the perfect definition of a coffee table book.

Longacre · December 14, 2007 1:51AM

Still, to me, a "coffee table book" has negative connotations. Maybe it is just me, though.

Dentuck · December 14, 2007 2:08AM

To a publisher, distributor, or retailer, "coffee table" might simply denote the format: 10" x 12" or larger, hardcover; with the content not being a factor.

Longacre · December 14, 2007 2:14AM

<< <i>To a publisher, distributor, or retailer, "coffee table" might simply denote the format: 10" x 12" or larger, hardcover; with the content not being a factor. >>

Thanks. If that is the standard viewpoint of people in the industry, then that is good enough for me.

RWB · December 14, 2007 2:32AM

Longacre - In general use I agree with your connotation. A "coffee table" book is one of insubstantial purpose and ephemeral content - regardless of dimensions. They are in large piles in the major book stores for $5 or less.

Publishers are in business to make as much money as possible - just like lawyers. It is the buyer who decides what they want to do with any book they buy - regardless of size, weight or content.

BECOKA · December 14, 2007 2:39AM

I think of a coffee table book as a book that I would be willing to flip through anytime of the day any day of the year.

i.e. it is out in the open ready to read as apposed to having to drag it off of a lost bookshelf.

Dentuck · November 6, 2015 1:35AM

Now I'm hungry for coffee cake.

messydesk · November 6, 2015 4:06AM

Originally posted by: Dentuck

Now I'm hungry for coffee cake.

It took you 8 years to get hungry for coffee cake?

BackroadJunkie · November 6, 2015 5:13AM

Originally posted by: Dentuck
To a publisher, distributor, or retailer, "coffee table" might simply denote the format: 10" x 12" or larger, hardcover; with the content not being a factor.

This. It's a standard industry term. Any google search will tell you that.

asheland · November 6, 2015 5:42AM

Originally posted by: Dentuck
Now I'm hungry for coffee cake.

I'm thinking pizza!

Tibor · November 6, 2015 7:44AM

When the label is applied to a numismatic book, it usually means some oversized pictures of some

awesome coins. It would be neat to see a book "coffee table" sized devoted to DMPL dollars or

toned coins. PCGS should issue a desk top day by day calendar of the best coins in their

Coin Facts files.

Staircoins · November 7, 2015 1:01AM

Wow - Longacre, Pistareen, IGWT, RWB, TDN ...

What a great thread.

ctf_error_coins · November 7, 2015 1:07AM

Coffee table books use to be big, I think the internet and all it's FREE photos my have killed that industry

Shamika · November 7, 2015 1:32PM

In my mind, a "coffee table book" is a rather derogatory term, and should not be used in the same sentence as a well researched book.

Man, I couldn't agree more. A book of serious scholarship should not be described as a coffee table book.

When a numismatic book is refered to with the dreaded "coffee table book" label, does that

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When a numismatic book is refered to with the dreaded &quot;coffee table book&quot; label, does that

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When a numismatic book is refered to with the dreaded "coffee table book" label, does that