Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms Used in Book Descriptions

Booksellers and book collectors use various terms to describe books, their constituent parts and condition. The following glossary gives the meaning of some of these terms as we commonly use them here at Book Addiction.

A

Advance Reading/Review Copy (ARC) – Copies of a book distributed before publication, intended for reviewers and book retailers. Generally, ARCs look pretty much like the book that will appear in bookshops although they are often more cheaply bound.

All Edges Gilt (AEG) – The top, fore-edge and foot of the text block are gilded in gold.

As New – The book is in the exact condition as when it left the print shop.

B

Binding – The cover of the book which surrounds the text block.

Binding Copy – A book whose binding is so dilapidated that it needs to be rebound AND is worth rebinding.

Blind (-stamping, -tooling, -embossing) – A mark, decoration, or lettering, not coloured or gilded, impressed onto the book.

Boards – The stiff binding material that surrounds most hardback books.

Bookplate – A pasted-in sign of ownership, usually on the front paste down endpaper.

Bumped – Refers to the corners of a book which have been damaged by careless handling.

C

Chipped – Used to describe where small pieces are missing at the edges of a dust jacket or paperback cover.

Cloth – The material often used to cover a book's boards.

Cocked – A book where the spine is no longer at right-angles to the text block or covers due to improper storage.

Colophon – An identifying inscription or emblem from the printer or publisher.

D

Damp Stained – A light stain on the cover or pages caused by moisture.

Deckled Edges – Untrimmed or uncut page edges.

Dust Jacket (DJ) – The usually decorative wrap placed loosely around a book's covers.

E

Endpapers (ep) – The papers pasted onto the inside of the covers which join the covers to the text block.

Ex-Library (exlib) – A book that was once in a public or institutional library, usually with markings.

F

Fine – A book with no defects or marks but may lack the crispness of absolute newness.

First Edition – The first appearance of a work in book form.

Foxed, Foxing – Brown spotting of the paper caused by a chemical reaction.

Frontispiece – An illustration at the beginning of a book, preceding the title page.

G

Gilt – A thin application of gold decoration or lettering.

Good – A grading condition term used to denote a book in average used condition with all parts intact.

H–P

Half Binding – The spine and corners are bound in a different material to the rest of the covers.

Inscribed – A book signed by the author with a personal note or message.

Plates – Whole-page illustrations printed separately from the text.

Presentation Copy – A copy given by the author as a gift, with inscription.

Price Clipped – The original price has been cut off from the corner of the dust jacket.

R–V

Reading Copy – A complete and readable copy in too poor a state to be considered collectable.

Remainder – Publishers may dispose of overstock by remaindering copies at reduced prices.

Rubbing – Damage to the edges of the book or dust jacket as a result of friction.

Top Edge Gilt (TEG) – The top edge of the text block has been gilded.

Vellum – A thin sheet of leather produced from a calf for use in writing, printing or as a binding material.

Very Good – A book or jacket with only very light signs of wear and no major defects.

This glossary provides an accessible introduction. As always, comments, queries and suggestions for improvement are gratefully welcomed.