Photography mavens look for a print with what they call "object quality," meaning one possessing elements, both physical and ephemeral, that transcend the image itself and make the picture unique. Virtually everything about a print's condition— including its finish, toning, scale, age, weight, and overall presentation— determines its object quality, which, in turn, determines its value. Of course, none of this matters if the image is itself of no interest; a wonderful example of a terrible picture is still worthless. Applying a similarly rigorous assessment to books, which are, after all, produced in large, identical numbers, is only a metaphorical exercise, but the best ones usually pass the test. Most of the books on the 1998 Top 20 have a texture, heft, and sensational design that approaches true object quality— the ideal balance of style and substance that makes a book of pictures more than a... More >>>