Rare & Out of Print Books Glossary
Found a word you've
never seen? Search the
Glossary of Book Terms to unravel the puzzling
language you may have found in the description of your book. The first
half of the glossary contains terms A-Z and is followed by two book
anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various
book
sizes, a guide to
condition ratings,
and the most
common abbreviations used in the world
of books. There are photo examples of the terms (indicated with a camera)
but please keep in mind that book characteristics and conditions vary.
advance
reading copy - A preview or early review copy of a book that
is usually sent to book buyers, reviewers, booksellers, book clubs, and/or
publisher sales representatives before the book is published. It could
be in a different format, uncorrected, not bound, and/or have a different
cover design than the publication issue. The typical publishing process
is
proof, advance reading copy, and publication.
all edges gilt
(aeg) - All three outer
edges of the pages
of the book have been trimmed smooth and coated with gold leaf.
Americana -
A classification of books and other objects having to do with American
culture, history, or folklore. Considered different from a book written
by an American writer, though an American writer can write an Americana
book.
annuals -
Books that are published yearly.
armorial
binding - A leather binding stamped with a coat-of-arms.
artificial
leather -
See imitation leather.
as issued -
The book is in the original physical state that it was published in and
has all its original components including its
binding,
text
block,
illustrations, etc.
as new -
Refers to the condition of a book; it is immaculate and without flaws.
See
also mint.
association
copy - A book that was either owned by its author, owned by
someone connected to the author, or owned by someone connected to the
contents of the book. It can also refer to a book that was annotated
by the author. Proof of the association is usually in the form of some
written notes.
backstrip -
The covering of the book spine that has the title and author of the book
printed on it. It is usually made of cloth, leather, or paper, and is sometimes
decorated.
See also spine.
backstrip
label -
See label.
bastard
title -
See half-title.
bevelled
boards -
See bevelled edges.
bevelled
edges - A
binding technique in which
the edges of the
boards of the book have been cut
to a slanted angle. Also known as bevelled boards.
binding -
The process that secures the pages or sections of a publication to keep
them in order and to protect them. Binding may be stapled or sewn, sewn
and enclosed in
wrappers, or by gluing the pages
to the outer cover, but most often refers to a
hardcover binding.
The art of bookbinding has its own fascinating history; knowing the basic
chronology of bookbinding history can be an aid in dating undated material
and help in the detection of fraudulent material.
See also perfect
bound.
binding
copy - A book that is worth re-binding; the book covers are
in serious disrepair, but the text is fine.
blank
leaves -
See blanks.
blanks -
Refers to a blank page that is left intentionally in the book. It can be
located at beginning of the book, at the end of a clearly marked division,
and/or at the end of book. Also known as blank leaves or printer's blanks.
blind
stamp - A colorless impression that is embossed on paper or
on a cloth or leather binding. When it is found on a page, it typically
signifies the owner's name or the words "Review Copy." When it is found
on the binding, it is typically for decorative purposes. Also known as
blind.
board
book - A durable book format that is used for children's books,
in which all pages are printed on thick cardboard.
boards (bds) -
The front and back covers of a
hardbound book.
The term originates from when book covers were made from wood, but they
are now typically made a stiff cardboard or paperboard.
bonded
leather - A material consisting of two layers of leather and
a lining attached to each other by a chemical process or adhesive.
book
block -
See text block.
book
club edition (bc, bce) - A book that was printed specially for
a book club (e.g. "Book of the Month Club") which usually utilizes a
lesser quality paper and
binding materials. These
editions are usually available by book club subscription only and are
generally of little interest to collectors due to their low monetary
value.
book
jacket -
See dust jacket.
bookplate -
A simple or elaborately designed label used to indicate ownership, which
is usually found pasted to the inside of the front cover of a book. Bookplates
were used as early as 1516, but did not become popular in England, France,
and Germany until the 18th century. In America, they were not used before
1800 but have been fairly common since about 1840.
bright
copy - Refers to the condition of a book; a surprisingly bright
or fresh copy of an older book. It is as new and clean as the day it
was published.
broadside -
A sheet of paper, usually of a larger size, that is printed on one side
only. Examples include songs, poems, announcements of sales, and political
declarations.
buckram -
An inexpensive stiff cotton fabric that is used to bind books. It is often
used in
library editions because of its strength.
bumped -
Refers to the condition of a book; it refers to worn, bent, or rounded
corners of the
boards of a book.
calf -
Leather made from a calf hide or cattle hide, it is the most common type
of leather used for book
binding. It may be dyed
nearly any color.
cancel -
A publisher-authorized content correction that is made after a book has
been printed and bound. Cancels can be as small as a scrap of paper to
correct type, or as large as a page or a
signature to
correct a section. The corrected page or illustration is glued onto the
page or inserted into an already bound book. They are less common today
because of advanced computerized printing techniques, but were very common
in the 17th and 18th centuries due to numerous printer errors. Also known
as tipped-in.
card
covers -
See paperback.
chapbook -
A small book or pamphlet, often a collection of poetry or prose. Previous
to the mid-19th century, the term was used to describe small books of popular,
sensational, juvenile, moral, or educational content sold by street merchants,
known as "chapmen".
chipped -
Refers to the condition of a book; a mark or flaw caused by scuffing, gouging,
or breaking off of a small piece of the
dust jacket,
pages, or
backstrip.
chromolithography -
A printing process that is done by printing in colors from a series of
lithographic stones or plates. Noted for its fresh, bright colors, this
process was popular during mid and late 19th century bookmaking.
cloth -
A book that is bound and covered in cloth.
See also hardcover.
cocked -
Refers to the condition of a book; the
spine is no
longer straight and appears crooked or twisted. Also known as spine lean.
cockled -
Refers to the condition of a book; the wrinkled, puckered, waving, or curling
condition of a page or of the
boards of a book, which
is caused by non-uniform drying and shrinkage. If the cockled page is made
of vellum, the condition is caused by humidity. In the case of paper or
board, the condition is caused by heat and humidity. In the case of book
covers, it can be caused by the use of the wrong type of adhesive or too
much adhesive.
collated -
The content of the work, including all pages and
illustrations,
has been examined and verified that it is complete and in the proper order.
colophon -
A printer's reference at the end of a book which usually gives the place
of printing, name of the printer, and other details about the book.
See
also imprint.
compartments -
Ruled lines forming a square border or frame on a binding, which is done
in gilt or blind. Also known as pannelled.
contemporary -
A term used to describe a work that was published within the last decade
or to indicate that all of the components of the book (the
binding,
the coloring of
plates, inscriptions, and side notes)
were created at the same time the book was printed.
cracked -
Refers to the condition of a book; there is a long narrow opening or break
down the
spine or in the cover.
crimped -
Refers to the condition of a book; a grooved, indented, or pinched condition
of a cover or page, which is caused by extreme humidity. It can also describe
a bookmaking process that bends the
hinges of
loose-leaf books
so that the pages of a book will easily turnover and lie flat.
cropped -
The
margins of the book have been trimmed by the
binder, usually too close to the text or into the text.
cut -
An illustration that is printed on a text page.
See also plate.
deckle
edges - The natural rough and uneven
edges of
book pages when they have not been trimmed flush. The
binding of
handmade paper can also produce this decorative effect.
Also known
as uncut.
dedication
copy - A copy of a book specifically inscribed by the author
to a particular person.
dedication
page - The page of a book that lists the persons and/or institutions
to whom the author has committed the work. It is usually located opposite
the copyright page.
de
luxe edition -
See edition de
luxe.
dentelle -
A decorative lace-like pattern on the inner edge of a book cover that is
inspired from embroidery and the decorative arts. This binder's technique
was used primarily in France in the 18th century.
device -
Refers to a printer's mark or
imprint that was used
primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries, typically found on the title
page or at the end of a book. Today the term can also be used to describe
a publisher's trademark or logo.
Also known as printer's mark.
disbound -
A book, pamphlet, or
ephemera that is lacking its
binding.
doctored -
A book that has been repaired, restored, or even added to. Also known as
made-up.
dummy -
A mockup of a book that is created to represent the physical appearance,
including actual arrangement of the printed matter and
illustrations,
of a forthcoming book to book buyers. Modern trade publishing has replaced
the use of dummies with materials such as
advance
reading copies and
uncorrected proofs.
dust
jacket (dj) - A removable paper wrapper that encloses a book
to protect it from dirt. Dust jackets date from the early 19th century,
but they came into more common use in the early 20th century as a means
to advertise the book to potential buyers. Also known as dust wrapper
or book jacket.
dust
wrapper -
See dust jacket.
edition -
All copies of a book that are printed from the same plates or one setting
of type. An edition can have more than one printing. For example, if 300
copies of a book are printed on September 15, and 200 copies are printed
from the same plates on November 24, all 500 copies are part of the same
edition.
edition
de luxe - An edition of a book that has been specially printed
and bound for its fine appearance. Sometimes refers to
limited
editions with special leather or decorated cloth bindings.
edges -
The top, bottom, and
un-hinged outer sides of a book.
embossed
leather - A leather which has been printed with a raised design.
endpapers
(ep) - The plain white, colored, decorated, or printed paper
that is at the front and end of a book, one half of which is pasted down
to the
binding. The
endpapers are
used to give a finished look to the binding.
engraving -
An
illustration or decoration printed from
a metal plate or hardwood block.
ephemera -
Objects which, in general, are fragile and not made to last for a long
time. Examples include, but are not limited to, magazines,
journals,
paper toys, and publisher promotional items.
errata -
A list of errors and misprints in the text of a book. The list might be
printed on a bound page in the book or on a separate piece of paper that
is pasted or laid in the book.
errata
slip -
See errata.
ex-library
(ex-lib; x-lib) - Identifies a book that was once the property
of an institutional or corporate library. Usually there are noticeable
marks and stamps on the binding and/or in the text. It may also have
library card pockets, and it often shows considerable wear and/or rebinding.
For collectors, it is worth considerably less monetarily than a book
that has not been owned and marked-up by an institutional library.
facsimile -
A copy that looks like the original
printing of
a book but is not original. Facsimiles can be a source of frustration to
collectors and booksellers but are acceptable for some institutional library
collections. The term can also refer to one or more pages or
illustrations that
have been reproduced or copied to replace parts of the book that are missing.
Also known as fake.
fading -
Refers to the condition of a book; describes the loss of color on the pages,
dust
jacket, or the cover of the book, which is usually caused by time or
exposure to sunlight.
false
band - A fake
raised band that is
attached directly to the
spine of the book or the
hollow of the cover. This decorative element is designed to make the
book look sturdier than it actually is.
festschrift -
A book containing a number of scholarly essays printed in honor of an individual.
fine
binding - An elaborately designed book; for example, a book
that is bound in leather with
blind stamps and
gilt
edges.
first
American edition - The
first edition published
in the U.S. of a book that was previously printed elsewhere.
first
British edition - The first edition published in the United
Kingdom of a book that was previously printed elsewhere. Also known as
first U.K. edition.
first
edition - The first appearance of a work in book form. Every
printed book has a first edition but many never have later editions.
When book collectors use the term, they're usually referring to the first
printing and
if there are different states or issues, the earliest of those.
See also
edition and
high
spot.
first
edition thus - An
edition of a work that
postdates the first edition and contains some modification to the work.
The modification might be a new introduction, added
illustrations,
new supplement, new format, and/or a revision of the text. It can also
refer to a
first edition of the work by another
publisher.
first
U.K. edition -
See first
British edition.
first
U.S. edition -
See first
American edition.
flex-cover -
A supple and tractable book cover. Flex covers are often used in conjunction
with
spiral bindings.
fly title -
See half-title.
flyleaf -
The blank page or pages following the
front
free-endpaper.
fore-edge -
The outside edge of the book where the book opens (opposite of the
spine).
Also known as front-edge.
fore-edge
painting - A watercolor decoration, usually a scene or a geometric
design, painted on the ends of the pages of the
fore-edge of
a book. Traditionally, the pages are painted so the decoration disappears
when the book is closed and only appears again when the pages are fanned.
However, the opposite can also be true of a fore-edge painting; the decoration
can appear only when the book is closed. The tradition of fore-edge painting
dates back to the 10th century and reached its peak of popularity in
England in the latter half of the 17th century.
foxing -
Refers to the condition of a book; intrinsic to paper, the patchy brownish-yellow
spots that discolor
plates and pages of a book. It
is most likely caused by lack of ventilation and/or chemical reactions
between the paper and microorganisms. The spots are generally found in
19th century books and can range from barely visible to ruinous.
Also
known as foxed.
frayed -
Refers to the condition of a book; the unraveling of the threads or fibers
of an edge of a book cover that is caused by excessive rubbing.
front-edge -
See fore-edge.
front
free-endpaper - The free or loose half of the pasted-down double
leaf that is found at the very beginning of a book. The other half of
the leaf, the pasted down portion, is attached to the
board.
frontispiece -
An
illustration placed before the first pages
of a book that usually faces the title page.
gallery -
The earliest printing of a work used by the proofreader and author to check
for errors. Galleys are often printed on long continuous strips of paper.
Sometimes the term is used interchangeably, although incorrectly, with
the term
advance reading copy. Also known
as galley proof.
See also proofs.
gilt
edges - The
edges of the pages of a book
after they have been cut smooth and colored, usually with gold paint.
See
also all edges gilt.
glassine -
A strong, thin, glazed, semi-transparent paper that used to make protective
covers for books because it is, among other durable characteristics, grease
and water resistant.
gnawed -
Refers to the condition of a book; chewed-on edges or corners of a book.
gouge -
Refers to the condition of a book; an unintentional nick or hole in the
cover of a book, or on its
spine. Or in bookbinding,
a single-line finishing tool that is used to create either blind or gold
decoration on the covers but not on the spine of a book.
gutter -
The white space formed by the inner
margins of two
facing pages (near the
spine) in a bound book,
journal,
or newspaper.
half-title -
The extra page, in front of the
title page, that
bears the abbreviated title of the book. In the days when books were sold
as unbound
leaves, the half-title served as a "cover" for
the protection of the true title page. Also known as fly title or bastard
title.
hardbound
(hb) -
See hardcover.
hardcover
(hc) - A book with stiff
boards that is
bound and covered in either cloth, paper, or leather.
headband -
A functional or ornamental band, made of colored silk or cotton, which
is fastened at the top (and sometimes at the bottom) of the
spine of
a book. Originally it was sewn into the
boards or
leaves of
the book to link the sections together but in today's
binding process,
it is often glued-on for decoration. The headbands of the 12th and early
13th centuries were combined with a leather tab. The conventional cloth
or silk headband was introduced in the early 16th century and decorative
glued-on headbands were introduced in the early 19th century. Also known
as heads.
headpiece -
A type ornament or decoration appearing at the start of a section or chapter
of a book.
high spot -
A term that is used to denote a highly regarded first or important edition
of a book.
highlighting -
The bright pen markings where the previous owner marked the book to highlight
words, sentences, and/or passages of text.
hinge -
An inside or outside
joint of the
binding of
a book, where the
spine meets the covers. It is usually
made of cloth and provides additional strength at the flex point.
holograph -
A document or inscription written entirely in the handwriting of the person
whose has signed it.
illuminated -
A
manuscript or book embellished with decorative
elements that are typically hand-painted in rich colors and are sometimes
gilded.
The elements may include initial letters, designs, and/or pictorial scenes.
illustrated
wraps -
See pictorial
paper cover.
illustration -
Refers to any picture, diagram, portrait, or non-text item in a work, which
is used to clarify the text or for decoration.
imitation
leather - A coated fabric, rubber, or plastic composition, or
absorbent paper, manufactured to resemble genuine leather.
Also known as
artificial leather.
impression -
A set of copies of a work, printed at one time, from one setting of type.
There may be several impressions of one
edition.
Also
known as printing, press run, or print run.
imprint -
Refers either to the place of publication or to the publisher. The imprint
information is located either at the base of a
title
page or in a
colophon at the back of a book.
The term can also refer to a printed piece from a certain location or period
of time; i.e., the university has a collection of 18th century Massachusetts
imprints.
incunabula -
A book printed, with moveable type, during the earliest period of printing.
Commonly refers to books published before the year 1501.
index -
An alphabetical listing of names or topics, with the citation of page numbers,
to facilitate quick reference to the contents of the work. The index is
located at the back in a book. For series and
journals,
it is usually published after the volume is completed and is usually found
in the last issue.
inscribed
copy - A book in which a written inscription has been made by
the author, to a specified person.
inscription
by previous owner - A written name, note, phrase, or comment
made in a book. Unless indicated otherwise, the inscription is not written
by the author.
insect
damage - Refers to the condition of a book; the book's
binding or
boards show
visible hurt from insects. Examples could include paths where worms have
burrowed and spotting caused by silverfish.
issue -
A portion of the printing of an
edition that has
a different format,
binding, or paper. An issue,
of an edition, is done intentionally by the publisher and can contain various
states.
japon
vellum - A smooth, glossy, durable paper that looks and feels
a little like
vellum but is made from native fibers
and is produced in Japan. Most commonly found in fancy or
editions
de luxe.
joint -
The exterior juncture of the
spine and
boards of
a (usually) case-bound book.
journal -
A periodical or magazine, especially one published for a special group,
learned society, or profession.
juvenile -
A children's book.
juvenile
picture book binding - A sturdy style of
binding that
is designed for books used by children. The
book
jacket is usually a case.
label -
A square or rectangular piece of paper or leather attached to the
spine of
a book, containing printed information about the book, such as author,
title, and volume number.
Also known as backstrip label.
laid in -
Pages or other paper present in the book that are not glued or sewn in.
laminated -
A thin layer of plastic that is adhered to another material, such as cloth
or paper.
large
paper edition - An edition of a book with pages in a larger
format than those of the regular edition. Typically these are
limited or
de-luxe
editions of a work.
large
print edition - Designed for people with poor eyesight, the
words are printed in a larger size than in the regular edition.
leaf (ll) -
A single sheet of paper in a book. A page is one side of a leaf.
leather
bound - A book that is bound and covered in leather.
leatherette -
An imitation of grained leather, produced from a strong, machine-glazed
base paper. Many small prayer books, for example, are leatherette.
See also
imitation
leather.
leaves -
The sheets of paper that make up a book. A page is one side of a leaf.
levant -
Elegant and highly polished
morocco goatskin leather
with a grain-pattern surface.
library
binding - A book with a stronger binding than the customary
edition
binding, and intended for use in a library.
library
edition - Refers to a book supposedly or actually printed on
a better quality of paper and with a stronger
binding than
the standard edition. It can also refer to an edition, series, or set
of books, produced in a uniform format, but this use of the term is more
or less obsolete.
limitation -
A statement of number of copies printed in an
edition.
See
also limited edition.
limited
edition - An edition that is limited to a certain number of
copies, is usually printed and bound luxuriously, and in some cases,
may be signed by the author. The number of copies is given somewhere
in the text of the book.
limp
cover - A book that has a flexible
cloth,
leather,
or
vellum cover. In the last quarter of the 18th
century and the first quarter of the 19th, limp leather covers were commonly
used for books to be carried in the pocket. In the 20th century, the
primary use was for cheap, educational, sentimental verse, or devotional
books.
Also known as limp cloth, limp binding, limp leather, or
limp vellum.
lithograph -
An
illustration printed from stone, zinc, or
other material.
loose -
Refers to the condition of a book; the
text block is
coming loose from the
binding at the
hinges.
loose-leaf -
The
binding of individual sheets of paper in an
exchangeable form, for pages to be added, removed, or relocated in the
book. Loose-leaf bindings are used wherever records of repeatedly changing
information must be kept. Instruction manuals, catalogs, and accounting
forms are often loose-leaf bound.
Also known as ring-bound.
manuscript
(ms, mss) - The original text of an author's work, handwritten
or typed. It can also refer to a book or document written before the
invention of printing.
marbled
paper - Colored paper with a veined, mottled, or swirling pattern,
in imitation of marble, which is used with paper-covered boards and as
end
papers in books. The use of marbled papers was especially popular
during the Victorian era.
margin -
The space between the edge of the page and the printed text. Sometimes
in binding, the margins are trimmed or cropped.
mint -
Refers to the condition of a book; it is either a brand new copy, or in
the same new and unblemished condition as when it was first published.
Many booksellers and collectors dislike using this term and prefer to use "
as
new" in describing this condition.
See also
bright
copy.
misbound -
An
illustration, map, or a number of pages
that have been incorrectly folded, bound in the wrong place, or bound in
upside down.
modern
firsts -
First editions of a book
published in the 20th century.
morocco -
Leather made from goatskin with a characteristic grain pattern. Straight-grained
morocco was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
mottled
calf - Calf leather that has been sprinkled with copperas acid,
a chemical used in tanning, giving it a mottled or spotted effect.
mounted -
Damaged
leaves,
illustrations,
maps, and/or photographs that have been strengthened by backing with paper
or thin cloth. Also describes an illustration that has been mounted, or
tipped, onto a blank page.
near fine -
See condition
guide.
no date
(nd) - No publication date is printed in the book.
no place
(np) - No place of publication is printed in the book.
octavo -
Refers to the size of the book; the most common book size since the early
17th century, an octavo book averages about 6 x 9 inches. The term originally
to referred to the number of folds (8) in a standard book-printing sheet,
but it now commonly refers to size.
offprint -
An excerpt of a larger publication which has been printed and bound separately
for promotional purposes. For example, publishers will print and bound
a chapter of a book to send to booksellers or for the author to give away
before the entire book is published. Scholarly excerpts are another example;
a portion of a large journal piece printed for a professor to distribute.
Offprints are highly sought after by collectors because, technically, they
can be considered a first separate edition of the work and will often have
a
presentation inscription.
offset -
The light image of transferred ink or an imprint that comes from an adjoining
text page or illustration, or an inserted paper. This transference is not
done on purpose and can be caused by humidity, acid from the inserted paper,
or if the ink wasn't dry when the book was bound.
out
of print (op) - A publication that is no longer available through
the publisher.
out-of-series -
Unnumbered editions from a numbered limited edition series. They are considered "extra
copies" of the edition, are usually not signed, and are not considered
part of the
limited edition series.
pagination -
The sequence of the numbered pages in a book.
pamphlet -
A small work that is less than book-length, has
paper
wraps, and typically has a staple binding.
Also known as brochure.
pannelled -
Ruled lines forming a square border or frame on a binding, which is done
in
gilt or
blind.
Also
known as compartments.
paperback -
A book with a paper cover. Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin books, was
credited with inventing the modern paperback when he published Ariel by
Andre Maurois with a paper cover in 1936.
Also known as wrappers.
paper
boards - A binding made of stiff cardboard that is covered in
paper.
paper
wraps - Paper covers of a book. The term is sometimes used interchangeably
with
paperback.
parchment -
A stiff material made of sheep or goat skin that is used for bindings and
for legal documents and manuscripts. Material that is made of paper but
looks and feels similar to the skin material can also be called parchment.
parts -
Novels that are published in separate installments, typically in a magazine
or journal. Works of many popular writers of the 19th century, such as
Charles Dickens, were published in parts.
Also known as part issues.
pastedown -
The half of the endpaper that is pasted to the inside cover of a book.
perfect
bound - A binding method that utilizes a plastic glue to bind
the loose
leaves to the solid
text
block of a book. It is used for
paperback books.
photo
gravure - A photographic image produced from an engraving plate,
which gives it an art quality of a lithograph. The process was developed
in the 1850s but is rarely used today because of the high cost.
pictorial
cloth - A cloth book with a multi-colored picture printed on
the cover.
pictorial
paper cover - An Illustration printed on a paperback cover.
This decorative practice began in the early 1850s, with the publication
of
Letters Left at the Pastry-Cook's by J.S. Mayhew, and was the
precursor of the next trend in publishing--
yellowbacks.
The sensational pictorial paper cover novels of the later 19th and 20th
centuries are famous for their lurid, colorful covers.
Also known as
illustrated wraps.
pigskin -
A durable leather binding, usually decorated in
blind.
pirated
edition - An unauthorized edition that is usually sold abroad
without payment to the author.
Also known as pirate edition.
plate -
A full-page book illustration that is separate from the text pages. Technically,
illustrations that are printed on text pages are called cuts. However,
the term "plate" is often used to describe both types of book illustrations.
points -
Facts and characteristics of the printing and binding of a book that may
help indicate the priority of issue.
portfolio -
A portable case used to protect loose papers,
plates,
pamphlets,
and the like. It usually consists of two boards with a wide cloth or paper
joint forming the "spine." Can also refer to an artist's body of work.
preliminary
pages (prelims) - The first pages of the book that appear before
the text begins.
presentation
copy - A book with an inscription which shows that it was a
gift from the author or publisher.
See also inscribed
copy.
printer's
blanks -
See blanks.
printing -
The total number of copies of a book, or another type of publication, printed
at one time. For example, an edition of a book can have a first printing
of 5,000 copies and a second printing of 2,000.
See also edition.
price
clipped - The inside front corner of dust jacket has the price
cut off.
pristine
condition - A book in its original condition, unchanged in any
way.
private
press - A small establishment that is not associated with a
large publishing house. Private presses decide which works they will
print, frequently do their own press work, and print editions in limited
numbers of copies.
privately
printed - A work printed at the expense of the author or some
other private individual or group.
proofs -
Traditionally, a printed trial-run of the work, bound or unbound, which
is used for proofreading and to determine if changes need to be made in
the text. The typical publishing process is proof,
advance
reading copy, and publication. However, bound proofs are also used
for pre-publication publicity and are often sent out in place of advance
reading copies to booksellers and reviewers.
Also known as galley,
galley proof, page proof, and uncorrected proof.
provenance -
The history of the previous owners of a book.
Bookplates,
notes and other writings in the book, and inserted matter, may determine
provenance.
quarter-bound -
A book with a leather spine and with the sides bound in paper or cloth.
quality
paperback -
See trade paperback.
quarto -
Refers to the size of a book; the book measures about 9 by 12 inches.
Also
known as 4to.
rag book -
A children's book printed on and bound with cloth fabric.
raised
band - The visibly raised areas on a book
spine where
the cords, which attach the cover boards, are passed through. May also
refer to fake raised bands on decorative bindings.
Also known as
raised
cord.
See also false band.
raised
cord -
See raised band.
rare -
Traditionally, a publication is "rare" if an active collector or bookseller
expects to see it in the marketplace only once in a great while.
reading
copy - Refers to the condition of the book; the text is readable
and complete, but the binding is in poor condition and the
text
block should probably be rebound.
rebacked -
The book has been given a new spine and the hinges have been fixed. This
process mends a book when the
hinges are weak and
the
spine is worn and
cracked.
See
also rebound and
recased.
rebound -
The original binding of the book has been removed and a new binding has
been attached and re-sewn.
See also rebacked and
recased.
recased -
The
text block of the book has been put into a
new
binding. The process usually requires new endpapers
and gluing but not re-sewing of the binding.
See also rebacked and
rebound.
recto -
The front of the leaf; the page that lies to the right in an open book.
Rectos are the odd-numbered pages.
Also known as recto page.
See
also verso.
reinforced
dust jacket - A dust jacket that has been strengthened with
tape by the previous owner.
reinforced
library binding -
See library
binding.
re-issue -
A term encompassing all types of a reprinting of a work; it can be a later
printing of
a book, which is substantially unchanged, or an entirely new edition, such
as a
cloth edition re-issued as a
paperback edition.
remainder -
Books that are discounted from the publisher because of over-printing or
lack of sales, or because the book has been revised. They are often sold
to booksellers in bulk and usually have
remainder
marks on the outside edge or binding of the book.
remainder
mark - A publisher's written mark on a book indicating it is
a remainder. It is usually done with a permanent pen, stamp, or spray
paint on the outside edge or on the binding of the book.
reprint -
A new
impression from the same type setting,
or a new
edition of the work.
re-sized -
Usually means that all of the pages in the book have been "washed" and
sizing material, such as gelatin or glue, has been re-applied. The washing
may have been done to remove stains, writing, or acid from the pages. Sizing
provides a protective finish and makes flimsy paper stiff.
review
copy - A copy of a book sent out for review by the publisher
to the press, booksellers, and others in order to attract attention to
the publication. Frequently review copies will have slips of paper inserted
into the book, or have it written on the cover, announcing it as a review
copy. Textbook review copies are
Also known as "desk copies" or "instructor
copies" and are given to instructors to review for consideration for
adoption of the regular edition.
See also advance
reading copy.
ringbound -
See loose-leaf.
roan -
A soft, flexible, sheepskin binding. This durable, yet cheap, leather material
came in to use around 1790 as a replacement for the more expensive
morocco leather,
and is not known for its elegance.
rough -
Unpolished suede-like leather, which was primarily used for binding of
reference books, music scores, working manuals, and similar books, since
the 18th century. Also known as reversed calf.
rubbed -
Refers to condition; the spine or cover has visible scuff marks and may
be worn in places.
rule -
A continuous line, thick or thin, that is used in decorative printing.
In the 1800s and early 1900s,
title pages were
often enclosed in plain rule-borders. The term can also apply to a decorative
line on a
binding, which may be in
blind or
gilt.
saddle
stitching - The process of securing and binding the pages of
a publication through the center fold with wire staples. The term "saddle" derives
from the saddle of the binding machine.
scarce -
Traditionally, a "scarce" publication isn't as hard to find as a rare publication,
but might take a few years to locate.
scuffed -
Refers to condition; the binding or cover has been scraped and might look
rough or slightly
frayed in places.
serialization -
A work of fiction that is printed in successive parts first in a magazine
and then in book form, or is printed as a book and then printed in successive
parts in a magazine.
series
author - An author whose work consists of series titles. Kevin
J. Anderson, author of
Star Wars; Young Jedi Knights, is an example.
series
title - A collective title for a successive group of publications
with a common theme or subject, which are usually published by the same
publisher but not necessarily by the same author.
Star Wars,
Sweet
Valley High, and
Goosebumps are examples of series titles.
set -
A group of publications with a common theme that are released, usually
at the same time, by one publisher.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (12
Volume Set) by Charlotte Porter and Helen A. Clarke (eds.) is an example.
sewn -
A pamphlet that has been sewn together and was not originally bound with
boards.
Offprints are typically sewn.
shaken -
Refers to condition; a
cloth or leather bound book
that is loose in its covers but is still attached to its binding.
sheep -
A common, inexpensive binding material that was used primarily for children's
books, verse, and other small books.
sheet
music - Compositions printed on unbound paper.
shelf
worn - Refers to condition; the book shows visible signs of
wearing on the binding and/or edges due to numerous removals and placements
on countless shelves.
signature -
A group of folded pages that, when bound and trimmed with other signatures,
form a book or pamphlet.
Also known as gathering. Also refers to
a person's self-handwritten name (autograph signature).
slipcase -
A box open on one side so that when a book is slipped into it, the spine
shows.
soft
cover - Typically is synonymous with
paperback,
but it can also describe a book with a
limp cover or
a
flex-cover.
solander
case - A box used to preserve books; the back is hinged so the
front falls down and is kept closed by a latch. It was invented by an
assistant librarian, Daniel Charles Solander (1732-1782), for the preservation
of botanical specimens in the British Museum.
spine -
The part of the book opposite of the opening, which is visible when the
book is shelved.
Also known as back, backstrip, and shelfback.
Seebook
anatomy
section for illustration.
spiralbound -
An inexpensive type of binding utilizing wire or plastic coils as the spine.
It is an increasingly popular way for small publishers to publish a work
or for an author to quickly self-publish. Known also as comb or coil bound.
sprung -
Refers to condition; the
text block is separate
from its binding.
stamping -
See blind
stamp.
stapled -
A binding method that uses metal staples to secure the pages, typically
for binding magazines and
pamphlets.
Also known as
saddle stitching.
started -
Refers to condition; a portion of the pages are protruding beyond the
fore-edge of
the book. The pages are coming loose from the
binding but
are still attached. Not as loose as
shaken. The most
common use is to describe a condition that "starting" to happen, for instance,
a crack that's beginning to happen to a hinge.
state -
Minor changes made to a portion of the
edition during
the manufacturing stage and before all of the books were complete and released.
The changes can be intentional. For example, a different state may be caused
by a correction in the text or
illustrations,
an insertion of
cancels or advertisements, or a different
paper used without the intention of creating a separate
issue.
The changes can also be accidental; for example, a variation in the text
or illustrations might occur during the printing. The term does not refer
to condition.
stitched
binding - Sewing, through the center fold by means of thread,
was done to secure the
signatures and to bind
the publication.
straight
grain morocco -
Morocco leather with
an artificial straight-line pattern, which is usually used in more expensive
bindings.
stub -
A narrow strip of paper on the inside margin, between
leaves of
a book. Usually evidence that a
plate or other matter
has been removed or that there is an
illustration attached
into the binding.
subtitle -
A secondary and explanatory title used to explain more about the book.
sunned -
Refers to condition; the pages or
dust jacket is
faded from exposure to sunlight.
suppressed -
A part of a book that was held back after being published; i.e, a chapter
that existed in the first
printing, does not appear
in the second. It also can describe an entire publication withdrawn from
circulation, because of various reasons including political, legal, or
perhaps the belated regrets of the author.
text
block - The
signatures of a book, sewn
and trimmed, but without covers,
endpapers,
or a
binding.
Also known as book block.
three-quarters
binding - A
binding in which the
spine and
corners are generously covered with leather. The rest of the binding
material is different, i.e., cloth, marbled paper, another type of leather.
tight
back - The book that is bound very tight with an inflexible
spine,
almost to a fault because when it opens, the pages will not lie flat
by themselves. However, as the book becomes well used, the
binding will
eventually loosen. The use of the tight back declined dramatically after
about 1820, except by fine binders who often used it along with
false
raised bands.
Also known as fast back.
tipped-in -
A publisher-authorized content correction that is made after a book has
been printed and bound. It can be as small as a scrap of paper to correct
type, or as large as a page or a
signature to
correct a section. The corrected page or illustration is glued onto the
page or inserted into an already bound book. They are less common today
with the advanced printing techniques, but were very common in the 17th
and 18th centuries due to numerous printer errors.
Also known as
cancels.
tissue -
A thin sheet of paper inserted into a book to protect
plates from
damage and to prevent
offsetting onto facing pages.
title
page - The page of a book, which contains the name of the author(s),
the title, and usually the publisher's name and the date and place of
publication.
tooling -
The decoration on a
binding.
top
edge gilt (t.e.g.) - The top edge of the book is coated with
gold leaf.
trade
cloth - The regular
cloth edition of a
book, not a
limited edition.
trade
edition - The regular
edition of a book,
not a
limited edition.
trade
paperback - A
soft cover edition of
a book that generally has a high-quality
binding and
is in a larger size format than a traditional paperback. Also known as
quality paperback.
typescript -
A typewritten copy of a work. It may be the author's original copy, a typewritten
copy of the manuscript, or a typewritten copy done by a professional typist.
See
also manuscript.
uncorrected
proof -
See proofs.
uncut -
See deckle
edges.
underlining -
The pen or pencil markings where the previous owner marked the book to
highlight words, sentences, and/or passages of text.
unopened -
The folded edges of the
signatures have not been
cut open for reading. The book has been left in the beginning stages of
its binding process or it was issued in this manner.
unpaginated
(unpag) - The pages of the publication are unnumbered.
unsophisticated -
Refers to condition; the book is fairly worn and has not been repaired.
It can also refer to an incomplete
manuscript that
has been completed by using a different source or by someone besides the
author. Unsophisticated can also refer to a book or pamphlet that is manufactured
in an amateurish manner.
variant -
Refers to a minor difference between
printings,
usually on the
title page or on the
endpapers.
vellum -
A fine parchment made from calfskin, lambskin, or kidskin, not tanned but
treated with chemicals to make it suitable for writing and printing on
and for binding. Can also refer to heavy off-white fine-quality paper resembling
this parchment.
verso -
The back of the
leaf; the page that lies to the left
in an open book. Versos are the odd-numbered pages.
Also known as
recto page.
See also recto.
very good -
See condition
guide.
volume -
A book or periodical that is part of a series or a set. The volume notation
can be a number, letter, or a similar form.
with
all faults (w.a.f.) - A description used mostly by auctioneers
and booksellers to describe books that are suspected of being imperfect.
The term is used to warn the buyer that the item may not be returned
for any reason. It is, in other words, sold "as is."
warped -
Refers to condition; the boards or paperback covers are bent and twisted.
washed -
When a map, print, or pages of a book are cleaned in a mild chemical solution
to remove stains, writing, or acid from the pages.
See also re-sized.
watermark -
Translucent letters or a design in a sheet of paper. Usually can be seen
only by holding the sheet to the light.
waterstained -
Refers to condition; discoloration, stains, and possible shrinkage on the
pages,
binding, and
text-block,
from water.
wire coil -
An inexpensive type of binding material used to make a
spine on
a
spiralbound book.
Also known as wire
comb.
wire comb -
See wire
coil.
wood
engraving -
See woodcut.
woodcut -
An illustration made from a highly polished block of wood.
Also known as
wood engraving.
See also cut.
worming -
Refers to condition; small holes or tracks in the paper or
bindings,
which is made by burrowing insects. Since the worm normally eats directly
through the pages, its track is occasionally useful in detecting
doctored copies.
wove
paper - A paper that has been made on a fine-mesh mold which,
when held to the light, shows no marks or lines. It has been the typical
paper used in bookbinding since the early 19th century.
wrappers -
A book with a printed or plain paper binding.
Also known as paperback
and wraps.
yapp -
A style of binding where the edges of the paper extend beyond all three
edges of a book. It is named after a London bookseller who invented it
around 1860, and is mostly used for books of devotion and verse.
yellowed -
Usually refers to the yellow
fore-edges and pages
of
paperbacks, which is caused either by
fading,
age and/or acid in the paper.
yellowback -
An inexpensive mid-1800s English
paperback novel
usually sold in railway stations. The paper
bindings were
usually, but not always yellow.
Typical Usage: 'F/VG' (
fine book in very good jacket).
Very Fine (VF) - As
new with no defects, crisp, tight binding, absolutely no flaws under close
examination.
Near Fine (NF) - No
defects, little usage, and markings are minimal. A minor flaw may be present.
Very Good (VG) - It
shows some signs of wear and is no longer fresh. Attractive, but not unusually
so. Does not lie flat when open.
Good (G) - The average
used book with all pages present. Books with
loose bindings,
highlighting,
cocked
spine, torn
dust jackets, can fall into this
category.
Fair (FR) - Obviously
well-worn and handled but no text pages are missing, however, it may be
without
endpapers or a
title
page. There might be markings, but they do not interfere with readability.
Poor (P) - All text
is legible but may be soiled and have binding defects.
Reading
copies and
binding copies fall into this
category.
All sizes are approximate.
4to, Qto. . . . . . quarto size (9" x 12" or 22.9cm x 30.5cm)
8vo, Oct. . . . . . octavo size (6" x 9" or 15.2cm x 22.9cm)
12mo . . . . . duodecimo size (5" x 7 .5" or 12.7cm x 19.1cm)
16mo . . . . . sextodecimo (4.25" x 6.75" or 10.8cm x 17.2cm)
24mo . . . . . twentyfourmo (3.5" x 6" or 8.9cm x 15.2cm)
32mo . . . . . thirtytwomo (3.25" x 5" or 8.3cm x 12.7cm)
64mo . . . . . sixtyfourmo (2" x 3" or 5.1cm x 7.6cm)
Atlas folio . . . . 16" x 25" or 40.6cm x 63.5cm
Elephant folio . . . 14" x 25" or 35.6cm x 63.5cm
Folio (Fo., Fol.) . 12" x 15" or 30.5cm x 38.1cm
A.D.: Autograph document
A.D.s.: Autograph document, signed
Ads, adverts: Advertisements
A.L.: Autograph letter
A.L.s.: Autograph letter, signed
A.M.s.: Autograph manuscript, signed
auth: author
bd.: bound
bk: book
bks: books
BMC: British Museum Catalog
brk/brok: broken
ca.: circa, approximately
cat: catalog
CBEL: Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature
chip/chp: chipped
col: color
conts: contents
cpy: copy
cv: cover
DAB: Dictionary of American Biography
dec/decor: decorated, decoration
dict: dictionary
DNB: Dictionary of National Biography (British)
doc.: document
ea: each
ed: editor
Eng./Engl.: English
F./ff.: Folio, folios (leaves)
f/o: fold out
fwd: foreword
grn: green
hf.: half (as in half sheets)
hist: history
hndbk: handbook
Imp.: Imperial
impft: imperfect
ins: inside
intro.: introduction
Ital.: italic letter
lea.: leather
lge.: large
L.p.: large paper
LS: letter, signed
mag: magazine
M.e.: marbled edges
mssg: missing
N.F.: Near Fine
N.s.: Note, signed
N.V.G.: Near Very Good
Ob./obl.: oblong
OED: Oxford English Dictionary
orig.: original
o/w: otherwise
P./pp.: page, pages
pg: page
photo: photograph
pict: pictorial
po: previous owner
pol.: polished
port: portrait
p., pp.: page, pages
pref: preface
prev: previous
pseud: pseudonym(ous)
pt.: part
pub: published or publisher
reprd: repaired
rev: revised
sgd: signed
sl: slight
sm: small
spr: sprinkled
sq: square
STC: Short-Title Catalog
stns: stains
swd: sewed
T.L.s: Typed letter, signed
trans: translator
unb/unbd: unbound
vd/vy: various dates, various years
vol/vols: volume(s)
w/: with
w/o: without
wn: worn
wr: wear
wt: weight
yr: year