Rare Book Terminology — A Comprehensive Reference Guide

The rare book trade uses a specialised vocabulary that can be intimidating to newcomers. Understanding these terms is essential for reading dealer catalogues, auction listings, and bibliographic references. This guide covers the most commonly encountered terms in alphabetical order.

A

Advance reading copy (ARC). A pre-publication edition distributed to reviewers, booksellers, and media. Usually softcover with uncorrected text.

All edges gilt (a.e.g.). All three edges of the text block (top, fore-edge, bottom) are covered with gold leaf or gold-coloured material.

Association copy. A book connected to someone significant — the author, a person mentioned in the text, or a notable figure — through inscription, bookplate, or documented provenance.

As issued. In the condition the publisher originally produced it. “In dust jacket as issued” means the jacket is the original publisher’s jacket.

B

Blind stamp. A mark pressed into paper, cloth, or leather without ink. Often used by book clubs to identify their editions.

Boards. The stiff covers of a hardcover book. Modern boards are typically made of pasteboard (compressed paper).

Bookplate (Ex Libris). A printed or engraved label pasted inside a book to identify its owner.

Bumped. A corner or edge that has been dented or pushed in, typically from being dropped or shelved carelessly.

C

Cancel. A leaf that has been removed from a signature and replaced with a new leaf, usually to correct an error.

Cocked. A spine that leans to one side rather than standing straight upright. Also called “spine lean.”

Colophon. Either a statement at the end of a book giving production details, or a publisher’s identifying symbol/logo.

Conjugate leaves. Two leaves that are physically connected because they are part of the same folded sheet.

D

Deckle edge. The rough, uneven edge of handmade or mouldmade paper, caused by the frame (deckle) used in papermaking. Also artificially produced on machine-made paper.

Dust jacket (dust wrapper, DJ, DW). The removable paper cover around a hardcover book. Critical to value for modern first editions.

E

Editio princeps. The first printed edition of a work, particularly a classical text that previously existed only in manuscript.

Endpapers. The leaves at the very front and back of a book, connecting the text block to the boards. The “pastedown” is the leaf glued to the inside of the board; the “free endpaper” is the facing leaf.

Errata. A list of errors found after printing, often printed on a slip of paper and tipped into the book.

Ex-library. A book that was previously part of a library collection, bearing stamps, labels, and other institutional marks.

F

Fine. The highest standard condition grade. The book is in the condition it was in when published.

First edition. All copies printed from the first setting of type. In common usage, often means “first printing” — the first production run.

First issue. The earliest identifiable state of a first printing, distinguished by specific physical details (issue points).

Foxing. Brown spots on paper caused by iron particles reacting with moisture. Common in books printed on certain paper stocks.

Frontispiece. An illustration facing the title page.

G

Gathering (signature, quire). A group of pages created by folding a single sheet of paper, forming a unit that is sewn into the binding.

Gilt. Covered with gold leaf. “Gilt-lettered spine” means the spine text is stamped in gold.

H

Half-title. The leaf preceding the title page, carrying only the book’s title.

Hinge. The interior junction between the board and the spine, where the book opens. “Hinge cracked” means the paper or cloth at this junction has split.

Holograph. Written entirely in the hand of the author. A “holograph manuscript” is handwritten by the author.

I

Imprint. The publisher’s name as printed in the book, or the specific publishing division/brand.

Incunabulum. A book printed before January 1, 1501 — from the first fifty years of European printing.

Issue points. Specific physical details that distinguish the first issue from later issues of a first printing.

J–L

Joint. The exterior junction between the board and the spine. “Joint cracked” means the covering material has split on the outside.

Laid paper. Paper showing a pattern of parallel lines (from the papermaking mould) when held up to light.

Leaf. A single piece of paper in a book. A leaf has two sides (pages): the recto (front) and verso (back).

Limitation page. A page stating the number of copies printed in a limited edition, often including the copy number and author’s signature.

M–O

Marginalia. Notes written in the margins by a reader.

Morocco. Goatskin leather, used in fine bookbinding. “Full morocco” means the entire binding is covered in goatskin.

Octavo (8vo). A book made from sheets folded three times, producing eight leaves (sixteen pages). The most common modern book format.

Offsetting. A ghost image transferred from one page or illustration to the facing page, caused by chemical interaction between inks or by pressure.

P–R

Points. Distinguishing features that identify a particular edition, printing, issue, or state.

Provenance. The history of a book’s ownership. Good provenance (notable previous owners) adds value.

Quarto (4to). A book made from sheets folded twice, producing four leaves (eight pages). Larger than octavo.

Recto. The front side of a leaf — the right-hand page in an open book. Opposite of verso.

Remainder. Copies sold off cheaply by the publisher, usually marked with a slash, dot, or stamp on the page edges.

Rubbed. Wear on the surface of cloth, leather, or dust jackets from handling or shelf contact.

S–V

Shaken. A book whose binding is loose — the text block moves within the covers.

Slipcase. An open-ended box that holds a book with the spine exposed.

Spine. The part of the binding visible when the book is shelved. Carries the title, author, and publisher information.

Tipped in. A leaf attached by a narrow strip of adhesive along one edge.

Top edge gilt (t.e.g.). Only the top edge of the text block is gilded.

Vellum. Prepared animal skin used as a binding material.

Verso. The back side of a leaf — the left-hand page in an open book.

W

Wormhole. A small hole through the pages or boards caused by bookworms (larvae of various insects).

Wove paper. Paper made on a fine wire mesh, producing a smooth, uniform texture without the line pattern of laid paper. Standard for modern books.

Wraps (wrappers). A paper or card cover, as opposed to cloth or leather boards. Paperback books are “in wraps.”