Bedsheet
Encyclopedia
The bedsheet format was the size of many magazine
s published in the United States
in the first third of the 20th century. Magazines in bedsheet format were roughly the size of Life
but with square spines. While the bedsheet size varied slightly from magazine to magazine, a standard bedsheet size is usually 9¾" x 12".
Dick Eney's Fancyclopedia II gives the following entry:
The first science fiction magazine
, Amazing Stories
, was published in a bedsheet format. Later, most magazines changed to the pulp magazine
format, roughly the size of comic books or National Geographic but again with a square spine. Now, many magazines are published in digest
format, roughly the size of Reader's Digest
, although a few are in the standard roughly 8.5" x 11" size, and often have stapled
spines, rather than glued square spines. Knowledge of these formats is an asset when locating magazines in libraries and collections where magazines are usually shelved according to size.
Sometimes the description "bedsheet" has been applied to magazines of the bedsheet size but with stapled rather than square spines.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
s published in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the first third of the 20th century. Magazines in bedsheet format were roughly the size of Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
but with square spines. While the bedsheet size varied slightly from magazine to magazine, a standard bedsheet size is usually 9¾" x 12".
Dick Eney's Fancyclopedia II gives the following entry:
- Bedsheet: A prozine size; 9x12. At various times Amazing, Wonder, Fantastic AdventuresFantastic AdventuresFantastic Adventures was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1953 by Ziff-Davis. It was initially edited by Ray Palmer, who was also the editor of Amazing Stories, Ziff-Davis's other science fiction title. The first nine issues were in bedsheet format, but in June 1940...
, ASF and Unknown Worlds attempted this size. The two latter, at least, were cut down by wartime paper shortage, and possibly by the keening of collectors who found these dimensions accident-prone.
The first science fiction magazine
Science fiction magazine
A science fiction magazine is a publication that offers primarily science fiction, either in a hard copy periodical format or on the Internet....
, Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
, was published in a bedsheet format. Later, most magazines changed to the pulp magazine
Pulp magazine
Pulp magazines , also collectively known as pulp fiction, refers to inexpensive fiction magazines published from 1896 through the 1950s. The typical pulp magazine was seven inches wide by ten inches high, half an inch thick, and 128 pages long...
format, roughly the size of comic books or National Geographic but again with a square spine. Now, many magazines are published in digest
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
format, roughly the size of Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
, although a few are in the standard roughly 8.5" x 11" size, and often have stapled
Staple (fastener)
A staple is a type of two-pronged fastener, usually metal, used for joining or binding materials together. Large staples might be used with a hammer or staple gun for masonry, roofing, corrugated boxes and other heavy-duty uses...
spines, rather than glued square spines. Knowledge of these formats is an asset when locating magazines in libraries and collections where magazines are usually shelved according to size.
Sometimes the description "bedsheet" has been applied to magazines of the bedsheet size but with stapled rather than square spines.
Magazines that published issues in the bedsheet size
- Amazing StoriesAmazing StoriesAmazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
- Astounding
- Fantastic AdventuresFantastic AdventuresFantastic Adventures was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1953 by Ziff-Davis. It was initially edited by Ray Palmer, who was also the editor of Amazing Stories, Ziff-Davis's other science fiction title. The first nine issues were in bedsheet format, but in June 1940...
- Science-Fiction PlusScience-Fiction PlusScience-Fiction Plus was a science fiction magazine published from Philadelphia by Gernsback Publications, Inc. in 1952-53...
- Science Wonder QuarterlyWonder StoriesWonder Stories was an early American science fiction magazine which was published under several titles from 1929 to 1955. It was founded by Hugo Gernsback in 1929 after he had lost control of his first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, when his media company Experimenter Publishing went...
- UnknownUnknown (magazine)Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
- Wonder StoriesWonder StoriesWonder Stories was an early American science fiction magazine which was published under several titles from 1929 to 1955. It was founded by Hugo Gernsback in 1929 after he had lost control of his first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, when his media company Experimenter Publishing went...