duodecimo
Twelve-leaf signature format
Duodecimo is a book size created by folding printer's sheets into twelve leaves, yielding twenty-four pages per sheet.
The term comes from Latin for "twelfth." It describes compact volumes roughly five to seven inches tall, smaller than octavo but larger than sextodecimo.
Abbreviated 12mo or 12°.
a duodecimo edition of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Seldom found or seen
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
- manuscriptsHandwritten or typed originals
- incunabulaEarliest European printed books
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
codices · illuminated · palimpsest · bibliophile · provenance · foxing · colophon · letterpress
Column of vertebrae
- headbandForehead-worn fabric strip
- endpaperLeaf connecting binding, cover
- flyleafBlank page in books
- caseContainer or instance
section · hinge · backbone · trimming · deckle · gilt · hardback · paperback
Book size, eight leaves
- quartoFour-leaf printing format
- folioSingle-fold page format
- signaturesHandwritten names as authentication
- gatheringsOccasions of congregating
leaves · pagination · recto · verso · imposition · collation · sheet · foolscap
Uncommon occurrence
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- curioOdd collectible item
vintage · auction · collector · provenance · inscribed · dust-jacket · slipcase · ex-libris
Small enough to carry
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- compactTightly packed together
- handyUseful and nearby
- travel-friendlySuited for journeys
slim · lightweight · portable · convenient · manageable · devotional · vest-pocket
rare
Seldom found or seen
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
- manuscriptsHandwritten or typed originals
- incunabulaEarliest European printed books
parchment · codices · illuminated · palimpsest · bibliophile · provenance · foxing · colophon · letterpress · morocco
spine
Column of vertebrae
case · section · hinge · backbone · trimming · deckle · gilt · hardback · paperback · sewn
octavo
Book size, eight leaves
- quartoFour-leaf printing format
- folioSingle-fold page format
- signaturesHandwritten names as authentication
gatherings · leaves · pagination · recto · verso · imposition · collation · sheet · foolscap · crown
rarity
Uncommon occurrence
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- artifactHuman-made historical object
curio · vintage · auction · collector · provenance · inscribed · dust-jacket · slipcase · ex-libris · catalogued
pocket-sized
Small enough to carry
travel-friendly · slim · lightweight · portable · convenient · manageable · devotional · vest-pocket