A Book Collector's Glossary

Items published by a photographic process for the academic market when a scholarly work, for which there is relatively little demand after its original edition, requires a new printing.

Recording of books added to a collection in the order of their acquisition.

The serial number assigned to a book in accessioning.

Record which lists a brief description and the essential facts of a specific book's history.

A book which begins with serial number one, and is used to record a brief description of additions to a collection in the order of their acquisition.

A supplement to a book. When material needs to be added to a finished book at the time of its binding, it may be printed on a slip of paper and tipped in, or pasted in.

A review copy. When a book is published, complimentary advance copies will often be sent to reviewers.

A classification of books and other objects having to do with America, its people and their history (generally considered to bear relation to the United States of America by those residing in North America).

Including critical and explanatory notes.

Of old, rare books, or one who deals in them.

A work which is of doubtful authenticity or authorship.

The additional or supplementary material sometimes found at the end of a book.

Description of the size of a book: about 25 inches high.

Complimentary copies of the first edition of a book given to the author by the publisher.

The author's signature, typically found on the title page or flyleaf of a book.

A book's backstrap, backstrip or spine.

The common term for Universal Product Code.

Abbreviation for "boards," which see.

Fine arts literature (fiction, poetry, drama, etc.) as distinguished from scientific/technical writing.

An electronic mailing list which is dedicated to news of the used book trade.

A book-nut (or worse ; ).

A book lover (or worse ; ).

The paragraph or so printed on the cover or dust jacket of a book which almost always tells you how important the book is.

The stiff front and back parts of a hardcover book.

An uncorrected page or galley proof sent out by a publisher before publication for publicity.

The practice of censorship by publication of expurgated texts. This practice got its name from English editor Thomas Bowdler (1854-1825) who published altered editions (especially of Shakespeare's works).

A hardcover book.

A small, usually paperback, book of poetry or a religious tract or somesuch.

A condition in which small pieces of the dust jacket have been chipped away at the edges

A book with cloth covering the boards.

A volume of ancient manuscript.

Either a publisher's trademark or information concerning the book's publication printed at the end of a book. Literally the finishing stroke.

A binding similar to a spiral binding, but made of plastic, and which if flattened would resemble a comb.

Selling or otherwise disposing of books from a collection.

Rough edges which a sheet of paper has after it has left the deckle, but before it is trimmed in the papermaking process.

The most authoritative version of a work.

Something needed and wanted. Desiderata is a want list.

Description of the size of a book: about 50 inches high.

Description of the size of a book: about 7.75 inches high (12mo).

The paper cover (d.j.).

The same as a dust jacket (d.w.).

All the copies of the book made from a specific set of type (with the exception of minor alterations).

Description of the size of a book: about 23 inches high.

A process which produces decorations raised above the surface (typically of printable material).

The folded sheet of paper pasted to the inside of the front or back cover and attached to the edge of the first or last page of a hardcover book during manufacturing. Endpapers are not normally numbered.

A correction of error(s) inserted into a book after it has been printed.

Page numbers on the left-hand pages.

A book with library markings on it.

A Latin phrase meaning, "From the Library of."

An exact reproduction of an original book depicting the text and the book's physical appearance.

A worn book with defects such as a torn dust jacket, foxing, or loose binding, etc.

Nearly new, with slight signs of aging, but no defects.

The first printing of the first edition (as far as collectors are concerned).

Unprinted pages (other than endpapers) which may appear at the front or back of a book.

Description of the size of a book: about 15 inches high (Fo).

The front of a book, considering the spine to be the back of a book.

A form of book decoration popular in the late eighteenth century which displays a painting when the books pages are fanned.

Description of the size of a book: about 4 inches high (48mo).

Discolored, usually with reddish-brown spots, especially the leaves of a book.

Illustration which faces the title page.

For sale.

A proof of a book made before the pages are numbered.

Decorative, deckle edged pages.

A complete book with no major defects, showing normal wear and ageing.

White space between facing pages.

A decorative cloth band added to the top of bottom of a book's spine.

A document handwritten by the person purported to have written it.

A child's primer, made of parchment, mounted on a board with a handle, protected by a transparent plate made of horn.

In print.

Old manuscripts and early books decorated with ornamental letters or colored illustrations.

Decorated with pictures or other features usually for the purpose of clarifying the context.

The number of books printed in a press run, or the run itself.

The publisher's and/or printer's note usually found at the foot of the title page giving place, date and publication information.

A book from the "cradle" time of printing (before 1500).

A reinforced binding.

A printing which is limited to a stated number. Often inscribed with the author's signature and a sequence number.

Term referring to a used or antiquarian book whose condition is "Like new". This term is more proper to numismatics and philately, with antiquarians usually preferring "as new."

Literally "pen name," the pseudonym an author uses.

Out of print.

Description of the size of a book: about 9.75 inches high (8mo).

Animal skin (usually sheep) used for a writing material.

Description of the size of a book: about 12 inches high (4mo).

A book which has little or no value as a collectible item, but has complete text.

The right-hand or front of a book leaf. Contrast "verso," the back of the leaf.

A condition characterized by very loose binding.

Description of the size of a book: about 6.75 inches high (16mo).

Description of the size of a book: about 3 inches high (64mo).

A condition characterized by a shift in the binding of a book.

Description of the size of a book: about 5 inches high (32mo).

Decoration of a book's cover by impression of gold leaf or other material.

Description of the size of a book: about 5.75 inches high (24mo).

One who publishes a book paid for by the author.

A fine calfskin used for writing or book manufacture (used for most ancient manuscripts).

The back of a leaf. Contrast "recto," the front of the leaf.

A complete book, as issued, with very few blemishes or signs of wear.

A single word or partial line.

A block of wood which is engraved for printing or the resulting product of its use.

Want to buy.

Want to trade.

A photoengraving process which produces black-and-white line drawings.