The purpose of most coffee table books is to display interesting or aesthetically pleasing visuals, often in the form of photographs. The subject may be historical in nature, such as a book featuring hundreds of illustrations from the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, or about a place or culture, such as "Gardens of Delight," a look at Indian gardens over time, published by Roli books. They may also showcase artistic photography or large prints of painters, such as a collection of Picasso's paintings. Architecture is also a popular subject for coffee table books.
Some people make their own coffee table books out of family photographs and mementos. (See Resources.) Businesses often create coffee table books to illustrate their services and accomplishments.
Depending on quality, subject matter and publisher, coffee table books can range in price from as low as $30 to $200 or more. They may range in size from about 6 by 9 inches to 14 by 20 inches, or even larger.
David R. Brower is considered the "inventor" of coffee table books. He created a series of them while serving as the executive director of the Sierra Club. His first volume, published in 1960, was "This Is the American Earth," featuring photography by Ansel Adams.
On an episode of the popular television show "Seinfeld," a character named Kramer created his own coffee table book. It was actually a coffee table book about coffee tables, and was designed to fold out into a miniature coffee table.