A miniature book is a very small book, size from .5 inches square to roughly 2 by 3 inches — no larger than 3 inches in height, width or thickness. These books became more popular in the last few decades of the 19th century because they were portable and easy to conceal. One could carry a vast number of books in a small case for when one travelled. Many are bound in fine Moroccan leather, gilt in gold and contain excellent examples of woodcuts, etchings and watermarks. More popular topics at that time were dictionaries, language translators, religious stories and readings and occasionally tourist guides.