Quarto

MND title page

Folio-Quarto-Octavo Compared

Quarto is a term that refers to a specific format or size of a book or manuscript. The term originates from the printing and bookbinding industry, where it describes a book made up of sheets of paper that have been folded twice to create four leaves or eight pages. Each folded sheet is known as a "quire." The size of a quarto book typically falls between a folio and an octavo, making it neither too large nor too small, and thus suitable for a wide range of reading materials.

History

The quarto format has its roots in the early days of printing, dating back to the 15th century. It was a popular format for literature, plays, and scientific works through the 16th and 17th centuries. Notably, many of Shakespeare's plays were originally published in quarto editions, which are highly sought after by collectors today.

Production

In the production of a quarto, a single sheet of paper is folded twice, resulting in four leaves (eight pages). The size of the original sheet of paper can vary, leading to variations in the size of the finished quarto. The process of folding, cutting, and then binding the sheets is an intricate part of bookbinding and requires skilled craftsmanship.

Significance

Quartos are significant for several reasons. Historically, they represent an important era in the development of the book as a physical object. The format was a compromise between the larger folio and the smaller octavo, offering a balance of readability and portability. For scholars and collectors, the quarto editions of texts, especially those published during the Renaissance, are invaluable for the insights they provide into the history of literature and printing.

Modern Usage

Today, the term quarto is still used by librarians, book collectors, and publishers to describe the size of a book, although the actual production process has evolved with modern printing technologies. Quarto-sized books are often produced for art and photography books, where the larger size can better accommodate high-quality images.

See Also

• Book size
• Folio (printing)
• Octavo
• Printing press
• Bookbinding