A Book Collector's Glossary

A Book Collector's Glossary
by
Carl Noe

Scot Kamins, editor

NOTE: This is the first full edition of "A Book Collector's Glossary." It is not complete, but is a work in progress, and a labor of love for those who collect books, published here as a service to those who've requested it. It is dedicated to Scot Kamins (rec.collecting.books proponent) who edited it for me.
Thanks in advance for your comments to cln2@carlnoe.com

academic reprints 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.

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

accession number The serial number assigned to a book in accessioning.

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

accession record book 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.

addendum, pl. addenda 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.

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

Americana 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).

annotated Including critical and explanatory notes.

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

apocryphal A work which is of doubtful authenticity or authorship.

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

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

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

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

backbone A book's backstrap, backstrip or spine.

bar code The common term for Universal Product Code.

bds. Abbreviation for "boards," which see.

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

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

bibliomane A book-nut (or worse ; ).

bibliophile A book lover (or worse ; ).

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

boards The stiff front and back parts of a hardcover book.

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

bowdlerization 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).

casebound A hardcover book.

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

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

clothbound A book with cloth covering the boards.

codex A volume of ancient manuscript.

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

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

deaccessioning Selling or otherwise disposing of books from a collection.

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

definitive edition The most authoritative version of a work.

desideratum, pl. desiderata Something needed and wanted. Desiderata is a want list.

dust jacket The paper cover (d.j.).

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

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

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

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

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

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

endpaper 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.

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

ex library A book with library markings on it.

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

even folio Page numbers on the left-hand pages.

FS For sale.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

frontispiece Illustration which faces the title page.

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

gauffering (goffering) Decorative, deckle edged pages.

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

gutter White space between facing pages.

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

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

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

i.p. In print.

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

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

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

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

incunabulum, pl. incunabula A book from the "cradle" time of printing (before 1500).

library binding A reinforced binding.

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

mint condition 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."

nom de plume Literally "pen name," the pseudonym an author uses.

o.p. Out of print.

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

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

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

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

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

shaken A condition characterized by very loose binding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

vanity publisher One who publishes a book paid for by the author.

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

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

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

WTB Want to buy.

WTT Want to trade.

widow A single word or partial line.

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

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

Carl Noe's Glossary was posted to the newsgroup rec.collecting.books on Aug 23, 1996.

academic reprints	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.
accession	Recording of books added to a collection in the order of their acquisition.
accession number	The serial number assigned to a book in accessioning.
accession record	Record which lists a brief description and the essential facts of a specific book's history.
accession record book	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.
*addendum, pl.* addenda**	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.
advance copy	A review copy. When a book is published, complimentary advance copies will often be sent to reviewers.
Americana	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).
annotated	Including critical and explanatory notes.
antiquarian	Of old, rare books, or one who deals in them.
apocryphal	A work which is of doubtful authenticity or authorship.
appendix	The additional or supplementary material sometimes found at the end of a book.
atlas folio	Description of the size of a book: about 25 inches high.
author's copies	Complimentary copies of the first edition of a book given to the author by the publisher.
autograph	The author's signature, typically found on the title page or flyleaf of a book.
backbone	A book's backstrap, backstrip or spine.
bar code	The common term for Universal Product Code.
bds.	Abbreviation for "boards," which see.
belles lettres	Fine arts literature (fiction, poetry, drama, etc.) as distinguished from scientific/technical writing.
Biblio	An electronic mailing list which is dedicated to news of the used book trade.
bibliomane	A book-nut (or worse ; ).
bibliophile	A book lover (or worse ; ).
blurb	The paragraph or so printed on the cover or dust jacket of a book which almost always tells you how important the book is.
boards	The stiff front and back parts of a hardcover book.
bound galley	An uncorrected page or galley proof sent out by a publisher before publication for publicity.
bowdlerization	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).
casebound	A hardcover book.
chapbook	A small, usually paperback, book of poetry or a religious tract or somesuch.
chipped	A condition in which small pieces of the dust jacket have been chipped away at the edges
clothbound	A book with cloth covering the boards.
codex	A volume of ancient manuscript.
colophon	Either a publisher's trademark or information concerning the book's publication printed at the end of a book. Literally the finishing stroke.
comb binding	A binding similar to a spiral binding, but made of plastic, and which if flattened would resemble a comb.
deaccessioning	Selling or otherwise disposing of books from a collection.
deckle edge	Rough edges which a sheet of paper has after it has left the deckle, but before it is trimmed in the papermaking process.
definitive edition	The most authoritative version of a work.
*desideratum, pl.* desiderata**	Something needed and wanted. Desiderata is a want list.
dust jacket	The paper cover (d.j.).
dust wrapper	The same as a dust jacket (d.w.).
double elephant folio	Description of the size of a book: about 50 inches high.
duodecimo	Description of the size of a book: about 7.75 inches high (12mo).
edition	All the copies of the book made from a specific set of type (with the exception of minor alterations).
elephant folio	Description of the size of a book: about 23 inches high.
embossing	A process which produces decorations raised above the surface (typically of printable material).
endpaper	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.
*erratum, pl.* errata**	A correction of error(s) inserted into a book after it has been printed.
ex library	A book with library markings on it.
ex libris	A Latin phrase meaning, "From the Library of."
even folio	Page numbers on the left-hand pages.
FS	For sale.
facsimile edition	An exact reproduction of an original book depicting the text and the book's physical appearance.
fair condition	A worn book with defects such as a torn dust jacket, foxing, or loose binding, etc.
fine condition	Nearly new, with slight signs of aging, but no defects.
first edition	The first printing of the first edition (as far as collectors are concerned).
flyleaf	Unprinted pages (other than endpapers) which may appear at the front or back of a book.
folio	Description of the size of a book: about 15 inches high (Fo).
fore edge	The front of a book, considering the spine to be the back of a book.
fore-edge painting	A form of book decoration popular in the late eighteenth century which displays a painting when the books pages are fanned.
fortyeightmo	Description of the size of a book: about 4 inches high (48mo).
foxed	Discolored, usually with reddish-brown spots, especially the leaves of a book.
frontispiece	Illustration which faces the title page.
galley	A proof of a book made before the pages are numbered.
gauffering (goffering)	Decorative, deckle edged pages.
good condition	A complete book with no major defects, showing normal wear and ageing.
gutter	White space between facing pages.
headband	A decorative cloth band added to the top of bottom of a book's spine.
holograph	A document handwritten by the person purported to have written it.
hornbook	A child's primer, made of parchment, mounted on a board with a handle, protected by a transparent plate made of horn.
i.p.	In print.
illuminated	Old manuscripts and early books decorated with ornamental letters or colored illustrations.
illustrated	Decorated with pictures or other features usually for the purpose of clarifying the context.
impression	The number of books printed in a press run, or the run itself.
imprint	The publisher's and/or printer's note usually found at the foot of the title page giving place, date and publication information.
*incunabulum, pl.* incunabula**	A book from the "cradle" time of printing (before 1500).
library binding	A reinforced binding.
limited edition	A printing which is limited to a stated number. Often inscribed with the author's signature and a sequence number.
mint condition	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."
nom de plume	Literally "pen name," the pseudonym an author uses.
o.p.	Out of print.
octavo	Description of the size of a book: about 9.75 inches high (8mo).
parchment	Animal skin (usually sheep) used for a writing material.
quarto	Description of the size of a book: about 12 inches high (4mo).
reading copy	A book which has little or no value as a collectible item, but has complete text.
recto	The right-hand or front of a book leaf. Contrast "verso," the back of the leaf.
shaken	A condition characterized by very loose binding.
sixteenmo	Description of the size of a book: about 6.75 inches high (16mo).
sixtyfourmo	Description of the size of a book: about 3 inches high (64mo).
stacked	A condition characterized by a shift in the binding of a book.
thirtytwomo	Description of the size of a book: about 5 inches high (32mo).
tooling	Decoration of a book's cover by impression of gold leaf or other material.
twentyfourmo	Description of the size of a book: about 5.75 inches high (24mo).
vanity publisher	One who publishes a book paid for by the author.
vellum	A fine calfskin used for writing or book manufacture (used for most ancient manuscripts).
verso	The back of a leaf. Contrast "recto," the front of the leaf.
very good condition	A complete book, as issued, with very few blemishes or signs of wear.
WTB	Want to buy.
WTT	Want to trade.
widow	A single word or partial line.
woodcut	A block of wood which is engraved for printing or the resulting product of its use.
zinc etching	A photoengraving process which produces black-and-white line drawings.

A Book Collector's Glossary by Carl Noe

Scot Kamins, editor

A Book Collector's Glossary
by
Carl Noe