A Special Committee on Book Sizes of the American Library Association
reported (_Library journal_, 3: 19, 20) the following rule:
Give the outside height in centimeters, using fractions (decimals)
where extreme accuracy is desired. For books of special forms, prefix
sq., ob., or nar., to indicate square, oblong, or narrow, or else give
the actual width after the height. Add a small “^h” to the figures
giving the height, except when followed by the width. In the latter
case connect height and width with the ordinary symbol ×, always giving
the height first. If fractious are not used, give the first centimeter
above, _e. g._, all books between 18 and 19 mark 19^h, because they
fall in the 19th centimeter. For the width, measure the board from the
hinge to the edge, not including the round. If desirable to give the
size of the paper or letter-press, prefix the measurement with p(aper)
or t(ype), including in the type neither folio nor signature lines.
For those preferring to use the common designations, the following-rule
was unanimously recommended:
Designate each size by its initial letter or letters (followed, if
preferred by the cataloguer, by its final letter “o,” superior “º”)
assigning the size by the following table, and prefixing sq., ob.,
nar., if the books be square, oblong, or narrow. Give the exact
measurement of all size-curiosities, whether very large or very small.
Numerical symbol Abbreviation Limit of outside
formerly used. to be used. height, centimeters.
48º Fe 10
32º Tt 12.5
24º T 15
16º S 17.5
12º D 20
8º O 25
4º Q 30
fº F 40
fº F⁵ 50
fº F⁶ 60
fº F⁷ 70
fº etc. etc.
Any cataloguer desiring to use the term E (18º) may do so by calling
the smaller S (16º). This causes no confusion, for either E or S is
between 15 and 17½ cm. in height. Books from 20 to 40 cm. high may be
called sm. Q, Q, and l. Q when of the square form, but O, l. O, and F,
or sm. F, when of the ordinary form. Books smaller than 20 cm., and of
the quarto form, are marked sq. D, etc. * * *
The plan of giving the height in centimeters has the advantage that,
once stated, it will never be forgotten. By it the size is more
easily {116} determined, more quickly recorded, much more definite
in its description, and, most important of all, is understood by all
users of catalogues after the first time, while the other systems are
intelligible only to those familiar with books. The committee therefore
recommends the plan of _indicating the size by giving the size_.