Glossary

This abbreviated glossary covers only the most commonly encountered terms. There may be exceptions to some of our definitions - our main concern is to provide you with general concepts relative to commonly used book jargon. Abbreviations appear alphabetized at the beginning of each respective letter; only the most common abbreviations are included.

ABA

Antiquarian Bookseller's Association (U.K. antiquarian booksellers assoc.); also the American Booksellers Association (primarily independent booksellers offering new books for sale)

ABAA

Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America

ABAC

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada

ABPC

American Book Prices Current, an annual compilation of book, autograph & manuscript auction records

ADS

Autograph document signed

a.e.g.

All edges gilt, gilt applied to top edge, bottom edge & foreedge of the volume (see also g.t. and a.e.m.)

a.e.m.

All edges marbled, marbling applied to top edge, bottom edge & foreedge of volume (see also a.e.g. and g.t.)

ALAI

Associazionne Librai Antiquari d'Italia (Italian antiquarian booksellers' association)

ALS

Autograph letter signed, letter handwritten by the person signing the letter as opposed to LS, which is a manuscript letter written by someone other than the signer

ANS

Autograph note signed

ANZAAB

Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers

Advance copy

A copy of a book usually sent to reviewers prior to publication, may be in a different format and may or may not be bound

Advance sheets

The unbound sheets of a new book, often galleys, distributed prior to publication

Advertisements

Many books & pamphlets, especially of the 19th century contained ads, especially ones advertising others books by the same publisher,often located at the back of the volume, following the text pages

All published

The book or set is complete as is, and any additional parts or volumes were never published

Annotated

Including critical and explanatory notes

Aquatint

An etching method widely used in late-Eighteenth and early-Nineteenth century illustrated books, frequently colored by hand after printing.

ARC

Advanced Reading Copy

Association copy

A book or pamphlet that has some indication of having belonged to the author or someone closely associated with them

As usual

A term used to describe normal defects related to ex library books, i.e., endpapers removed, pockets & library stamps

Authors edition

Book authorized by author, usually foreign editions, around the turn of the last century when many titles were pirated or "unauthorized"

Backstrip

The covering of the book's spine

BAL

Bibliography of American Literature

Bastard title

see half title

bc, bce

A book club edition. Books printed for a book club

bds.

boards

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

Bibliography

A list of works, occasionally in great detail, on a given subject or by a given author

Biopredation

An attack to books by living matter, which may include insects or mildew

Binding

The method of holding pages or sheets together; may be simply stapled or sewn, or sewn and enclosed in wrappers, but most often refers to a "hard" binding or covers. This type of binding may be covered with cloth, various leathers, or paper over boards or other more exotic materials. The binding can be done by hand or by machine as in a publisher's "trade binding". The following terms relate primarily to leather bindings

- Binding copy

A book that is worth re-binding; the book covers are in serious disrepair, but the text is fine

- Full binding

Volume is entirely encased in leather (calf, sheep, morocco, etc.)

- Three quarter binding

Volume has leather spine and corners which occupy approx. 3/4 of the space along top edge of board (cover). The remainder of the board is covered with marbled paper, plain paper, cloth, different leather, etc.

- Half binding

The spine and corner leather occupy only approx. 1/2 of top edge

- Quarter binding

Usually lacks leather corners and leather of the spine occupies only approx. 1/4 of the top edge.Binding copy: a book lacking the original binding or with a binding in poor condition, i.e. a book in need of a new binding - can also be referred to as a reading copy

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

(Stamped or Tooled) Impressed into paper or binding with no color, leaving an impression only

Blurb

A comment from a review (often by another author praising the particular book), printed on the dustjacket or covers of a proof copy or on a wrap-around band

Boards

The covers of a hard bound book; the boards are the stiff cardboard or paperboard which is usually covered with cloth or leather; and when covered with paper, the covers are properly referred to as "boards". Many pre-1850 books were issued by the publishers bound in boards (paper covered), allowing for an inexpensive binding which could later be replaced with leather by a hand book binder. Early (medieval) manuscript volumes were often bound between two oak boards, hence the probable origin of this term

Book club edition

Usually an inexpensive reprint utilizing poor quality paper and binding and sold by subscription to members of a book club; in general, of little interest to book collectors and of low monetary value

Book jacket

The paper, often with illustrations and information about the book and author, used as a protective covering over the book; usually referred to as a "dust jacket" or "dj", sometimes called a "dust wrapper". Dust jacket art work is used to promote and sell the book

Bookplate

A label pasted in indicating ownership

Booklet

A small book, often only a few pages long and bound in wrappers

Bookworm

Any of a number of moth or fly larvae which tunnel through the pages of books leaving behind small channels, holes in individual leaves. Very early books often have some evidence of bookworm damage

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 printing, often an official announcement or poem or music, which occurs on a single sheet of paper and only on one side; the verso (other side) is blank. When printed on both sides, the sheet becomes a "broadsheet"

Broadsheet

A printing which occurs on both sides of a single leaf

Browning

The aging of a book that creates a brown looking page. This process is most noticeable in older books with some degree of acid content within the book. This detracts from a books appearance and value

BSA

Bibliographic Society of America

Buckram

A stiff, coarsely woven, filled cloth used for less expensive, but stronger wearing, cloth book binding material; often used for library books

Bumped

Refers to the condition of a book; it refers to worn, bent, or rounded corners of the boards of a book

b/w

Black and white illustrations, photographs, etc.

Calf

Book binding leather from a calf hide or cattle hide; a commonly used material for leather binding (see also morocco, sheep, and vellum)

Cancel leaf

A new leaf, often the title page, to which changes have been made, which is glued onto the narrow stub left by the removed leaf which has been excised

Case

The covers enclosing a book, usually made of thick cardboard, or a specially made case for a book

Chapbook

Small, inexpensive books produced from the 17th century until today, originally sold by "chapmen", peddlers, and hawkers

Chapter book

Fairly modern term referring to books for older children which are organized into chapters, as opposed to "picture books", which often are not

Chipped

Small pieces broken off of a dust jacket or binding

Chromolithography

Color printing from multiple impositions of lithographic stones or similar lithographic printing surfaces. A process of illustration that reached its zenith in the mid-Nineteenth century

circa

Refers to an approximate date when actual date is unknown

cl.

cloth (clothbound)

Closed tear

A tear with no material missing

Cloth

Book binding material woven from cotton, linen, wool or synthetic fibers

Coated

Paper is smooth and polished; something has been applied to the surface to make it appear glossy

Cocked

If, when looking down on the head of a book, the corners are not square it is said to be cocked or rolled. Also known as a spine slant

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

Collate

To verify completeness of a book by examining it carefully (e.g.: all illustrative plates are present, no pages are missing, etc.)

Collation

Used in descriptive bibliography as the term which describes the non-binding portion of the book, verifying the proper sequence and completeness of pages & their gatherings (signatures)

Colophon

A statement occurring at the rear of a volume following the text, relating information about the printing history and physical aspects of the book; often includes name of printer, type of paper, typeface, size of edition, date of printing, etc. Early books often had a colophon instead of a title page imprint and modern private press or other examples of fine printing often use a colophon

Compartments

Ruled lines forming a square border or frame on a binding, which is done in gilt or blind. Also known as pannelled

Condition

Condition sometimes shown as __/__, i.e., F/F, denoting first book & then dustjacket condition

- Mint (M)

Without faults or defects, unread, in the same immaculate condition in which it was published (Note: very few "new" books qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the dustjackets from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving)

- Fine (F)

Approaches the above, but not crisp. May have been carefully read and dustjacket may have been slightly rubbed or spine ends slightly bumped from shelving/shipping, but no real defects or faults

- Very good

A used book showing some small signs of wear on either binding or dustjacket. Any defects/faults must be noted

- Good

The average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted

- Fair

A worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title page, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dustjacket, etc. may also be worn. All defects/faults must be noted

- Poor

A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. Also called Reading copy

- w.a.f.

With all faults, indicates a book or other item which is being offered without careful delineation of its condition or without careful collation; usually indicates a less than "very good" copy, which probably does have faults, often including excessive wear or missing leaves, plates or maps

Conjugate leaves

Leaves which are physically attached, part of the same sheet

Contemporary binding

Up until the 19th century, books were published unbound, with the understanding that the new owner would have his books bound at his leisure. This term refers to bindings done the same year or within a few years of the publication of such a book

Copperplate

Illustrations produced when the original printing plate was engraved on copper; this method was introduced before the end of the 15th century. They replaced the woodcut, which reappeared later on

Copyright page

The page that appears on verso of the title page, containing the artistic property protection

Covers

The binding of a book; i.e. cloth, calf, morocco, boards, wrappers, etc.

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)

Cut edges

The most common type of book edges, trimmed even with a large binders knife prior to finishing the binding process (see also uncut, unopened, and deckle edges)

DAB

Dictionary of American Biography, a useful 20 volume reference, especially when collecting manuscripts and autographs and attempting to learn about the authors

Dampstain

Stain often of a shade of tan or gray resulting from water or other liquid damage to a volume; tolerated by collectors when it is minimal and occurs in very old, scarce volumes; its presence does lower the monetary value.

dec, decor

decorated

Deckle edge

Natural or sometimes artificial rough edge of page, left uncut (see also cut edges, uncut, and unopened)

Dedication Copy

A copy of a book inscribed by the author to the person to whom the book is dedicated

de luxe edition

See edition de luxe

Dentelle

A lace-like pattern applied to the edges of the cover of the inside border of a book bound in leather

Desiderata

A listing of books desired

Device

A printer's ornament or an insignia which is the publisher's identifying mark

Dimple

An indentation, such as on a golf ball, on covers or pages.

Ding

A small bump or dent leaving an impression, sometimes caused by careless handling or storage

Disbound

Descriptive term for a book or pamphlet or ephemera which has been removed from its binding

DNB

Dictionary of National Biography, multi-volume (number of volumes dependent upon the edition) reference of biographies of British citizens (the U.K.)

Doctered

A book that has been repaired, restored, or even added to. Also known as made-up

Dog-eared

Worn or ragged, usually referring to the edges of pages and binding. Corners of pages turned down like a dog's ear

Dummy copy

Book made to appear like a soon to be published title, but with a text block of blank pages (see also salesman sample)

Dust jacket

The paper, often with illustrations and information about the book, used as a protective covering over the book; sometimes called a book jacket (dj) or a dust wrapper (dw). Collectors of literary first editions usually insist on having a fine copy of the original dust jacket with the book

Edges

The three outer sides of the text block when book is closed: fore edge, top edge or head, and bottom edge or foot

ed.

edition

Edition & Printing

Edition includes the copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same plates or setting of type. If 500 copies of a book are printed on Oct. 5 and 300 copies are printed from the same substantially unchanged plates on Dec. 10, all 800 copies are part of the same edition. Printing: the copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same press run or from the same plates or setting of type at one time. In the example given for "Edition" above, the 500 copies would be the first printing and the 300 copies comprise the second printing. In the 19th century some publishers labeled later printings as if they were later editions, i.e. a second printing would be called a "second edition" on the copyright page

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

Embossed leather

A leather which has been printed with a raised design

End paper

Paper, often of coated stock or marbled paper or otherwise "fancy" paper, with one half pasted to the cover; used primarily to give a finished appearance to the binding

Ephemera

Those bits of throwaway paper of every day life (e.g.: advertising, ticket stubs, programs, some booklets and pamphlets, etc.)

Errata

A list of errors and their corrections or additions to the printing, found after book has been printed, usually on separate sheet or slip of paper. The plural of erratum

Ex-library

Legitimately removed (discarded/deaccessioned) from an institutional library, such as a public library, university library, historical society, etc. Often has catalog numbers inked or painted on the spine, library bookplates, embossed or rubber-stamped identification on the title page and plates, library card pockets and often shows considerable wear and/or rebinding in a plain buckram. Referred to as "ex-lib" and of considerably lower monetary value than the respective book which has never been the property of an institutional library

Ex-libris

A Latin phrase meaning "from the books" or to paraphrase, "from the library or collection of"; the phrase is frequently used on bookplates

Extra-illustrated

Usually a volume made into a unique copy with additional illustrations, autographs, or manuscripts added by carefully gluing or tipping-in this extra material

Facsimile

A reproduction of a book. Many facsimiles have some designation on them to distinguish them from the book they are replicating

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 Appearances

this term can refer to several different concepts:· The first time a specific subject is treated in book form, i.e. the first American book on the subject of dry fly fishing was written by Emlyn Gill and published in 1913

First Books

The first book appearance by an author (usually refers to a book entirely by the author, not merely a first appearance of a poem or short story in an anthology). Frequently an established, well known author's first book is not widely known; i.e. James Fenimore Cooper's "Precaution"

First Edition

All of the copies printed from the first setting of type; can include multiple printings if all are from the same setting of type. Every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions. A later edition would have substantial changes in the printing plates or type such as the addition of a new preface or new chapter or major changes throughout the text and often is printed from a complete resetting of the type. When book collectors use the term first edition, they are usually referring to the first printing and if there are different states or issues, the earliest of those

First thus

Not a first edition, but something new, revised, having a new introduction by the author or someone else, but the first publication in its new form or by a new publisher

Flyleaf

A blank leaf (or leaves) inserted during the binding process between the free end paper and the beginning or end of the printed pages

Flexible binding

Limp, leather/plastic covers which are flexible

Foot

The bottom edge of the text block

Fore edge

The right edge opposite the spine

Fore edge painting

A painting on gilded fore edge, which can only be seen by fanning pages. Popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, and occasionally still being done today

Foxing

Rust colored spots which occur on paper resulting from oxidation of both organic and iron impurities left behind during the paper making process. Only when these impurities exist in the paper, given exposure to the right humidity and temperature factors, will foxing occur. This process is intrinsic to the paper; some paper will never have the rusty, brown, yellow spots known as foxing

Fraying

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

Free endpaper

Front and rear blank pages added by the binder

Frontispiece

An illustration or plate inserted immediately in front of the title page, with the illustration facing the title page, often abbreviated as frontis

Front matter

The pages preceeding the text of a book

Galley Proof

(Author's Proof). Copies of the book (usually in an inexpensive binding) intended for the author, editors, and proof readers to correct

g.t.

Gilt top, gilt applied to the top edge of the text block (see also a.e.m. and a.e.g)

Gathering

A folded printed sheet of leaves prior to binding; referred to as a signature after binding

Gauffered edges

A pattern tooled on gilt edges of book

g.e.

Gilt edges

Gilt edges

Page edges cut smooth and gilded (covered with a thin layer of gold leaf)

Gilt top

Gilt top, gilt applied to the top edge of the text block (see also g.t.)

Glassine

Transparent paper sometimes used as a dust jacket to protect a book

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

g.t.

gilt top

Gutter

The inner margin of the leaves of a bound book; adjacent inner margins of facing pages when book is open

Half cloth

Cloth spine and paper covered sides

Half title

A page which precedes the the title page and the text, with the title (often abbreviated) usually centered on the page

Hardbound

hardcover

Hardcover

A book whose case is made of stiff boards, as opposed to wrappers

hb

hardbound

hc

hardcover

Head

Top edge of the text block

Headband

Band of silk or cotton affixed to signatures when bound for strength or, more often, decoration of the spine

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

The inside portion of the flexible area where book cover meets the book spine; often used interchangeably with the term joint, which should be used to designate the outside or exterior portion of the "hinge". A volume which has received heavy or rough use often has cracked or broken hinges

Holograph

Anything handwritten entirely by the writer; i.e. a letter written entirely in the handwriting of the correspondent is a holograph of that person

Ideal copy

When a number of copies of an edition of a book are compared to each other, a bibliographer may set out what he or she considers to be the description of the standard copy of that edition, to which all other copies can be compared. Thus, when a book is said to be "missing a page", it is assumed that the ideal copy of that book always contains that particular page

ILAB

International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the bookseller organizations of at least twenty-one nations are members of the league

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

Impression

All the copies of a book printed during one press run. During the handpress period, when type was reset each time a press was used, this term was synonymous with edition

Imprint

When used as a noun refers to the publication data located at the base of a title page, usually includes the city of publication, name of the publisher (sometimes the printer),and the year of publication. Sometimes this information is located in a colophon at the back of a book. Imprint can also be used to 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

Incunable

Anything printed during the 15th century, the first century of printing with "moveable type"; from the Latin, meaning "from the cradle"; can also be used in a relative sense to refer to other early printings, i.e. incunables from the Pacific islands

Inscribed

A book, or other printed piece, with a handwritten and signed statement usually written for a specific named person(s) and often located on the end paper or title page; when "inscribed" is used to describe a book, unless otherwise stated, it is implied that the author has written the inscription. When used to designate the recipients of a book as a gift from the author (or publisher), it is called a "presentation inscription"

Interleaved

When blank leaves alternate with the printed leaves of a book 

Issue

A portion of an edition printed or published deliberately by the printer or publisher in a distinct form differing from the rest of the printing relative to paper, binding, format, etc. The distinction between "issue" and "state" is that the former relates to changes done on purpose by the publisher and intentionally treated as a separate unit, i.e. a large paper issue

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 flexible "hinge" where book cover meets book spine; "hinge" is usually used to designate the equivalent inside or interior flexible area. The joint is often an area that splits or cracks or otherswise shows wear in an older cloth or leather volume

Juvenilia

Work written when an author was extremely young, often as a child

Laid in

Paper/photograph/print is laid in (not glued down)

Laminate

The thin plastic layer covering the dust jacket of some books

Large paper copy

A special edition printed with the pages reconfigured to result in larger leaves with very wide page margins; the text of the individual pages remaining the same as the normal edition; usually large paper copies are printed in small, limited editions

Leaf (leaves)

Refers to the smallest, standard physical unit of paper in a printed piece; in the case of books and pamphlets, usually with a printed page on each side of a leaf; a broadside is printed on a single side of a single leaf.Marbled edges: usually the top, bottom and foreedge of a book with a multi-colored, swirled design, somewhat resembling the coloration pattern of marble stone

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)

Levant

Elegant and highly polished morocco goatskin leather with a grain-pattern surface

Limited edition

Small number of copies of book published. Books are usually numbered such as "100/500" meaning number 100 of an edition of 500

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

Lithography

One of a class of processes termed planographic, in which the printing surface (stone, zinc or a similar smooth-surfaced material) is not incised but instead treated with a medium that selectively absorbs (or repels) printing ink

Loose

When a book has been read carelessly or too often, and has become loose and sloppy in its binding

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

The original pages of an author's work, written in the author's hand or typed

Marbled paper

Paper decorated with a multi-colored, swirled design or pattern; often used for end papers or for paper covered boards, especially with 3/4 or 1/2 leather bindings

Married

Two related items brought together, though not initially sold as a unit, for the purpose of making the set complete as published (i.e.: a book and dust jacket, or two volumes in a set)

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 First

A first edition of a book published within this century

Monograph

A work, generally short, dealing with a single subject

Morocco

Leather binding made from goat hides; usually used in high quality or fine bindings for the interesting texture of the leather; originally tanned with sumac in the country of Morocco (see also calf, sheep and vellum)

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

ms, mss

manuscript

Mull

The cloth which reinforces the hinges and is pasted directly to the body of a book and is hidden by the spine

NVvA

Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (Netherlands or Dutch antiquarian bookseller's association)

n.d.

This abbreviation means "no date" provided in the imprint

n.p.

"No place" of publication provided in the imprint

NUC

National Union Catalogue; when used in antiquarian book descriptions usually refers to the pre-1956 imprints NUC which lists Library of Congress holdings plus the holdings of all reporting libraries in the U.S. When a catalog description states "Not in NUC", the item described is usually rare (in terms of U.S. library holdings)

Obverse

The front or main surface of anything

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

o.p.

Out-of-print

Open tear

A tear which may have some material missing

orig.

Original, as in original binding

Out-of-print

No longer available from the publisher (o.p. or op)

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

o/w 

Otherwise

Owner's inscription

Words written by previous or original owner of book. Also known as previous owner's inscription

Pagination

The numbering of the pages

Pamphlet

A small work that is less than book-length, has paper wraps, and typically has a staple binding. Also known as brochure

Panel

Refers to borders in binding. Can also be used in connection with the main surfaces of a dust jacket

Paperback

A book bound with flexible paper covers; usually a term reserved for mass-market publications

Paper covers

Describes a book not bound in stiff paper covers. Can refer to a temporary binding, a booklet or pamphlet, or a book in early (1800s) wrappers

Parchment

The skin of a sheep, goat, etc., prepared as a surface for writing or for use as a binding material

Pastedown endpaper

The part of the endpapers that is pasted to the inside of the front and rear covers

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

Pirate edition 

Any edition of a work issued without permission of the author and without payment of royalties to the author or copyright holder

Plate

An illustration(s) printed on a separate sheet of paper (usually heavy and better quality than the text pages) and added to the book during the binding process

Points

Peculiarities in a published book whose presence or absence helps to determine edition, issue, or state

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

ppbk

A mass market paperback book

preliminary pages (prelims)

The first pages of the book that appear before the text begins

Pre-publication price

When a new title is first offered for sale, often this special lower price is promoted and available for a limited time before publication

Price clipped

The price on the inner flap of a dust jacket has been cut off

Printing

The copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same press run or from the same plates or setting of type at one time. In the example given for "Edition", the 500 copies would be the first printing and the 300 copies comprise the second printing. In the 19th century some publishers labeled later printings as if they were later editions, i.e. a second printing would be called a "second edition" on the copyright page

Pristine condition

A book in its original condition, unchanged in any way

Private Press

A small press, often operated by one person, usually devoted to the production of small quantities of finely printed books

Privately Printed

A book or pamphlet whose printing was paid for by an individual or group and is meant for private circulation, not public sale

Prospectus

Printed material, often in the form of a leaflet or broadside, which describes a forth-coming title in detail, often including information on ordering the book including pre-publication price

Provenance

Evidence of the history of the ownership of a particular book (e.g.: auctions records, booksellers' records, book plates, etc.) The book may be important because of who owned it; perhaps a president or important bookseller, collector, royalty, or someone who may be related to the book in some way. Important in establishing the ownership of especially rare items

Pseudonym

An assumed name used to protect the anonymity of an author. Also known as pen name or nom de plume

Publisher's binding

Binding provided by the publisher when supplying a book for a bookseller. This practice, while common today, dates from the 1800s

quality paperback

See trade paperback

Rag book

A children's book printed on and bound with cloth fabric

Rare

A book that is extremely scarce

Raised Bands

On a cord-bound book, the horizontal raised bands on the spine, usually of a leather binding. Not often used in books published today, except for quality leather-bound editions

Reading copy

Well worn, usually abused copy of a book, often in need of rebinding; i.e. suitable for reading, but unlikely to be included in a book collection unless rebound; sometimes refers to a copy that can be read, but is not of a quality worth rebinding

Reading crease

A crease down the spine of a book (usually a paperback)

Rebacked

The spine or backstrip has been replaced with new material, in some cases the original worn backstrip is saved and glued over the new material

Rebound

Copy of a book which has had the original binding removed and a new binding attached; when there is no need to resew or trim the book, the term "recased" is sometimes used to indicate that a new binding and new end papers have been added

Recased

A repair, where a book is taken apart and put back together using original pages, cloth, and endpapers. Usually done to tighten the sewing or to wash the pages, etc.

Recto

The front side of a leaf or in the case of an open book the page on the right, with the page on the left being the verso

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

Rejointed

A book which has been repaired preserving the original covers & spine

Remainder

A new book returned to the publisher as unsold, then re-marketed at a much lower price

Remainder mark

A mark (rubber stamp, felt marker stroke, or spray, often on a book's bottom edge) signifying that the book was returned to publisher as unsold, and then sold at a much lower price

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 new book sent free-of-charge for purposes of review. Often includes a laid in review slip with publishing information; not necessarily a first edition

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

Where color has been worn from portions of the binding or dust jacket

Salesman sample

Volume made for door-to-door sales of a forth-coming title, usually has examples of several binding styles, the title page, a few pages of text and some illustrations (if any) and often a few ruled leaves bound in the back to be used to record the sales transaction including the name and address of those ordering the book

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

Self-wrappers

The wrappers of a pamphlet consist of the first leaf of the first signature and the final leaf of the last signature; i.e. no special or distinct paper wrappers have been added; often government pamphlets and almanacs have self-wrappers

Sewn-as-issued

A pamphlet which has been sewn together and exists in its original state relative to binding; normally a pamphlet with self-wrappers

Shaken

Indicates that sections (signatures) of a book or pamphlet are becoming quite loose, but remain attached to the binding

Sheets

The pages which have been printed but not yet folded, sewn, or gathered together for binding

Sheep

A common leather binding material from sheep hides; used like calf for a less expensive binding than morocco, appears to have been frequently used for text books and law books in the 19th century (see also calf, morocco, and vellum)

Shelfback

Another term for spine or backstrip

Signature

A group or gathering of leaves printed together on a sheet of paper which is folded, bound with other signatures and trimmed to form a book or pamphlet; i.e. a section or grouping of pages in a book resulting from printing and binding methodology; also refers to a person's self handwritten name (autograph signature)

Signed

Refers to a printed item on which the author (or illustrator or publisher) has written their name, usually on the end papers, title page, or in the case of pamphlets on the wrappers

SLAM

Syndicat National de la Librarie Ancienne et Moderne (French booksellers' association)

Slipcase

A box with one open side, into which a volume or a multivolme set is "slipped" for protection; publishers often issue a slipcase with two and three volume sets

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 in which a book is stored for protection which has one end (often leather) which resembles the spine or backstrip of a book

Sophistications

Books that have had repairs that involve making additions to the original (e.g.: chips filled in and tinted to match the missing portion, replaced page corners, etc.)

Spine

The back portion of a book's binding which is visible when a book is shelved in a bookcase; the portion which is attached at the joints to the front and rear covers

Started

Indicates that one or more signatures of a book are protruding beyond the rest of the fore edge, i.e. beginning to pull away from the binding to which they are still attached; not as loosened as the term "shaken" indicates.

State

A portion of a printing with changes such as minor alterations to the text either intentional or accidental; insertion of cancels, advertisements, or insertions; copies on different paper without intention of creating a searate issue; and other changes other than folding or collating or binding. An example would be when a pressman discovers battered or broken type, stops the presses and resets that portion of the page by replacing the broken type and then resumes the printing

Sticker damage

A price sticker has been roughly removed resulting in surface damage to the underlying material

Sticker ghost

Sticker has been left on book for some time, and the glue, reacting chemically, has discolored the surface

Stippled edge

Color sprayed on a book's external edges

Sunned

Browning, yellowing, or fading of paper or binding as a result of sun exposure

SVAF

Svenska Antivariatforeningen (Swedish antiquarian booksellers' association)

Tail

Bottom edge of the text block

Tape residue

Complications of cellophane tape which remains on the paper or a book's cover, resulting in brown stains or bits of tape adhering to paper

t.e.g.

Top edge gilt

Tender

When the binding is loosening

Text block

Pages containing the content of a book (text, illustrations, etc.) bound together; does not include endpapers

TLS

Typed letter signed, as opposed to ALS, a handwritten letter signed by the writer

Tipped in

Paper, photograph, or print glued down by only a narrow strip

Title page

The page which gives important information about the book (i.e.: title, author, publisher, date, etc.)

Tooling

The decoration of leather bindings

Top stain

The publisher's decorative colored stain, applied to the top page edges

Trade paperback

When the cloth-bound trade edition is issued by the same publisher, sometimes simultaneously, but bound in wrappers. Because the same sheets are used, such issues are often quite larger than paperbacks published for mass-market distribution

Trade edition

An edition sold through bookstores, as opposed to those meant for private or specialized distribution

Unbound

Indicates that the item has never been bound, i.e. unbound sheets; not the same as disbound which indicates that the binding has been removed

Uncorrected proof

A pre-publication printing intended for editorial use, or occasionally to be sent out for review. Usually issued in plain colored wrappers

Unopened

A book with signatures which have never been cut as opposed to untrimmed and uneven (see "Uncut"); unopened books retain the folds of the original gathering and contain many pages which cannot be read without first opening the pages with a knife. Some collectors prefer an unopened book because it indicates that the book has never been read; other collectors who read their books would rather not have the task of cutting open pages and risking tears and jagged leaf edges

Vanity press

Publishers and presses that publish books at the author's own expense

Variants

Usually refers to differences in bindings or end papers (paper located just inside the front and rear covers, one half of which is glued to the cover) within an issue or printing. One variant may have a title stamped on the front cover in black and another may be stamped in red. (see also first edition, issue, and state)

VDA

Verband Deutscher Antiquare e. V. (German antiquarian booksellers's association)

Vellum

True vellum is a thin specially treated untanned "leather" from calf skin, also known as parchment (high quality parchment from calf skin is called vellum; general quality parchment is made from calf, goat or sheep skin); used for documents and for book bindings; many early books (of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) have vellum bindings; paper makers have produced parchment and/or vellum papers also used for book bindings

Verso

The reverse or opposite or left-hand side, especially used in reference to a leaf which has a recto and verso side; in a open book the recto is the right hand page and the verso is the left hand page; in the case of a broadside only the recto is printed and the verso is blank

w/.

with

Watermark

A faint identifying design, usually in quality paper

Waterstained

Discoloration and perhaps actual shrinking and/or wrinkling of the pages or binding

Whipstitching

To sew a book's leaves by passing the thread over and over the spine; often seen in early pamphlets

Woodcut

Illustrations produced when the original printing plate was engraved on a block of wood. One of the oldest methods of printing, dating back to 8th century China

Wood Engraving

A process somewhat similar to the wood cut in which a design is incised as a series of fine lines . This technique is of later development and is capable of far more detailed effects than the woodcut

Worming

Small hole in the page of a book left by a book worm

Wrappers

Abbreviated as "wraps", wrappers are the paper covers of a pamphlet, often of a paper of heavier weight than the text paper; when you see "wrappers" you know the item is not a hard bound book, but is instead a pamphlet or magazine with paper covers; usually not used to refer to 20th century paperback books which are called "soft bound" (with paper covers)