Same Titles of Different Format Sizes
Format and binding are often the determinants of a book's visual beauty; they are also
the factors that trigger a reader's purchase decision. The selection of a print format
by official printing bureaus and commercial print houses was usually a compromise
between conformity with old traditions and adoption of current trends. Their final
printed products in various formats are thus indicative of the diverse development of
publishing culture in historical China.
What kind of visual impact is created by displaying rare and antiquarian books of
various formats and sizes alongside each other? When a book was printed many times
over, how did the largest and the smallest versions differ? Are there also differences
in formats, typefaces, paper, and binding adopted? These questions are valid
bibliographical research topics, but also the most intriguing details in the
exploration of the history of books. This section highlights the different formats of
the same books printed in different times. It is hoped that visitors will not only
learn about book collections and the knowledge embedded therein, but also experience
the delight of appreciating small-sized editions juxtaposed with their regular
versions.
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Sishujizhu (Collected Commentaries on the Four Books)
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Yuzhi Yuanmingyuan Sishijing Shi (Imperial Poems on the 40 Scenes of the Garden of Perfect Brightness)
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Chunhuage Tie (Model Calligraphy of the Chunhua Archive)
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