I too stem the middle line note (and even other notes) depending on the context. The problem is that context can be a very complicated.
For example, in the OP, I think that the most pleasing and visually restful effect is produced when the D’s are down stem and the A’s are up stem since the prolonged alternation of the two notes cancels out the awkward effect that can occur when a single down stem note appears in the midst of a bunch of up stem notes. In this latter more common case, I would make the middle line note conform with the others, if this improves the appearance.
And as another case, the one previously mentioned by benwiggy: two slurred notes a second or third apart often look best if the stems are in the same direction.
But I think that each case has to be judged on its own merits. This makes things more difficult for a computer program or an engraver.
If you don’t mind spending some money, this eBay listing came up in a quick Google search:
“https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/168152056506”
Music engraving and printing; historical and technical 1923 [Crafted Leather]
EDIT:
On a closer reading of the eBay listing, it is a 2022 reprint from India! Possibly not a good buy without first asking for some details.
Caveat emptor.
I often buy books on music notation from sellers on AbeBooks. One thing I like about their search feature is you can exclude “print on demand” books that might be of questionable quality.
With that checked, there aren’t any copies of the Gamble book currently available, but you can add it to your Want List and they will email you when a copy becomes available. I currently have 18 notation books on my Want List for example. With multiple high quality reprints (Da Capo Press, Arno Press, maybe others?) I don’t think the Gamble book is particularly obscure, so I would imagine one will come up for sale at a reasonable price fairly soon.
That image looks like a “generic” photo – the details on the spine blocking are blurred out. The binding looks ok, but the paper is hideously white. (I’ll bet that it’s just shiny laser paper, with the grain in the wrong direction.)
It’s nice to have a physical copy – but assuming they are just printing from whatever page scans are generally available, you might be able to do a better job yourself, by finding a local printer/binder.
(My father printed and hand-bound my copy of Ted Ross from the PDF!)
