The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 19, May 11, 2003, Article 11

THE LITTLEST COIN BOOKS

  Doug Andrews writes: "When we consider which is the
  "smallest" numismatic book, we can't judge it by its length,
  otherwise one sheet of paper folded once could qualify as
  a four-page "book."

  I submit a book from my collection as a candidate for the
  smallest modern numismatic tome. Although it has an
  astounding 146 pages, it measures only 8.5 cm x 10.5 cm
  and is hard-covered. It is entitled "Navigators" by S. Petrov,
  published in St. Petersburg, Russia (where I bought it) in
  1995. It deals exclusively with coins having nautical and
  maritime exploration themes."

  George Kolbe writes: "I recall handling a few copies of a
  miniature book on American colonial coins years ago, but
  do not recall specifics. I believe it was published by a small
  private press in the U. S., had a few illustrations (it took a
  full page to depict one side of a coin), and very little useful
  information. When I set up a bourse table in those days I
  would often place a copy atop a set of Loubat; it made
  for an eye-catching display."

  Joel Orosz writes: "The smallest numismatic book in my
  collection is:  Mark Hoff, American Coins. Kansas City:
  Ariel Books Andrews and McMeel, 1996. ISBN
  Number 0-8362-0990-7

  The book is gray cloth, with the image of the obverse of a
  Buffalo Nickel on the front cover, and the reverse of same
  on the back cover.  It has a pictorial dustjacket and
  endpapers, and is illustrated with color photos from the
  ANA Museum.  It contains 127 numbered pages. Cover
  dimensions are 4.5 cm wide by 5.8 cm tall.  The book is
  from the aptly-named "Tiny Tomes" series."

  Chris Hoelzle and Bob Leonard reported having this one
  in their libraries as well.

  Carl Honore describes a candidate for the "small and thin
  hardcover books category:  "It's about the size of a Redbook
  but its really thin.  It's called called "Pillars and Portraits".
I've
  lost it in my book shelves a few times because its so thin it's
  gotten hidden between larger volumes.   It's not as thick as the
  Redbook its maybe even smaller in size.  It has information
  about the Mexican 8 reale pieces.  It's actually about as thick
  as two Eisenhower dollars or other silver dollars."

  E-Sylum readers are well connected.   Our most authoritative
  response come from Julian I. Edison of St. Louis, MO, the
  editor of "Miniature Book News."

  My brother-in-law, Eric P. Newman asked me to respond.
  The 2 smallest numismatic books that I am aware of are:

  1) "Colonial Coins, Illustrated with numerous Photo Engravings,"
       published by the Hillside Press, 1974. Preface is by F. E. I.,
        but no author. Book measures 2 3/8 by 2 inches.

  2) Hoff, Mark; "American Coins," published by Andrews and
       McMeel (1996).  Book measures 2 1/4 by 1 7/8 inches.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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