Glossary rare books terms

A book classified as sale may show a small, black mark on the underside of its pages or other identifying characteristics of publisher overstock editions or possibly slight shelfwear from its life in our stores. Abaa glossary of terms book club edition usually an inexpensive reprint utilizing poor quality paper and binding and sold by subscription to members of a book club. Find some of the common jargon booksellers and book collectors often use. Abebooks glossary of book terms shop for books, art. Ready to dig deep into a story and match the right books with the right readers. There is merit in precision and we try to use the most precise and professional terminology. Antiquarian and rare book glossary of terms you should know. Glossary of historical collectible terms heritage auctions.

All edges gilt the top, foredge and foot of the book are colored in gold. In canada, new zealand, india, south africa, and australia, some of the british terms listed are used, although another usage is often preferred words with specific british english meanings that have different meanings in american andor additional meanings common to both languages e. This page has words starting with the letter a, click on the letter links below for other words as needed. A term indicating a given book is in the same condition as when originally published. Collectors know firsthand how important it is to recognize the terminology used in descriptions of books for sale. Following the publishing data, we give the book s size and pagination the number and arrangement of a books pages. A loose term implying collectible books rather than used books. Here is our ash rare books guide to the common terms and.

See gilt als autographed letter signed antiquarian bookseller a term, in todays usage, that describes a bookseller whose stock in trade is primarily old, rare, andor collectible books association copy a book once belonging to the author, or signed or annotated by the author to someone closely associated with the author of the book or the book itself in some way. Alphabetical list rare books and manuscripts section. Square books almostsquare multisection books tetsuyoso made by cutting the sheets of paper into thirds horizontally. As a result of this purpose, the paper quality of the ffep is generally of a heavier weight than. Two fiveyear sentences and one threeyear sentence, if served concurrently, result in a maximum of five years behind bars. They dont even rate a definition in the mostrecent edition of john carter and nicolas barkers abc for book collectors, an essential reference for booktrade terminology. For anyone interested in book collecting, understanding the terminology used in the book buying and selling industry is essential. Abbreviations appear alphabetized at the beginning of each respective letter. Let us help with this glossary of book binding terms. For special uses of some of the terms listed and defined. It pays to become familiar with the basic descriptive terms used by used and rare booksellers to communicate a particular book s condition. May 21, 2015 this glossary defines nearly 300 terms frequently encountered by stamp collectors and cover collectors. Boards were historically made of wood, but most modern binders use cardboard.

Ioba book terminology independent online booksellers. A trade publication for the rare and antiquarian book industry that was published between 1948 and 1999. Boards the stiff material commonly referred to as the covers. Traditionally, a glossary appears at the end of a book and includes terms within that book that are either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialized. Antiquarian bookseller a term, in todays usage, that describes a bookseller whose stock in trade is primarily old, rare, andor collectible books. A stain on the covers or leaves of a book resulting from water or other liquids.

In canada, new zealand, india, south africa, and australia, some of the british terms listed are used, although another usage is often preferred. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various book sizes, a guide to condition ratings, and the most common abbreviations used in the world of books. They generally are used to inform the reader that the information being given is known to be factual not an approximation or deduction, but. Now that youve mastered these terms, catch up on part i and part ii of our glossary series. As one of the premier rare book sites on the internet, alibris has thousands of rare books, first editions, and signed books available. Decoration, picture, or lettering that has been impressed into the binding with a metal stamp prepared for the purpose, resulting in a blind meaning uncoloured decoration, picture or lettering. Here are some resources to help you decode bookcollectorspeak. A dictionary by tom congalton and dan gregory between the covers, with. Take advantage of our high resolution images and videos to place bids up until the live event, and then continue to bid during the heritage live auction event, including live streaming audio and video. Glossary of book collecting terms book collecting tips. 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. Modern books commonly use cardboard covered in paper or cloth bookplate a label placed in a book to indicate ownership.

When it comes to book binding, there are many descriptors that are used. A more complete guide to book sizes, book conditions and binding terms can be found through the aforementioned links. Antiquarian and rare book glossary of terms you should. Antiquarian and rare book glossary of terms you should know raptis rare books fine rare and antiquarian first edition books for sale. To view a term record, click on its first letter from the list below. Indicates that this is not the first appearance of a book in print, but that this is the first appearance in a substantially. Bottom banner a reference for used and rare books, periodicals, and paper ephemera courtesy of an international coop of independent dealers. Glossary of rare book terms weve put together a running glossary of rare book terms and you can find it here. Adult material contains story andor art for mature readers. As issued a term used to describe an aspect of the book that might be perceived as a flaw but was the original state of the book when published. When considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value. Also, a book inscribed by its author to a famous person, or owned by someone of interest. Read below to find the definitions to some key textbook terms and buy your textbooks with confidence knowing you have bought the right one.

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 whove requested it. Avid consumer of books, media, and general nerdery. Prior to the emergence of internet marketplaces such as biblio, ab bookmans was the primary marketplace by which dealers and collectors located and traded in antiquarian books. May 15, 2018 for anyone interested in book collecting, understanding the terminology used in the book buying and selling industry is essential. This abbreviated glossary covers only the most commonly encountered terms. The glossary of constitutional terms is a part of international ideas project, supporting constitution building in nepal, which is funded by the royal embassy of norway and the british government. Specialist dealer in rare maps, atlases, plans, sea charts and voyages dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Dec 08, 2017 if a book includes rare, unfamiliar, specialized, or made up words or terms, the glossary serves as a dictionary for the reader to reference throughout their reading of the book. In terms of monetary value, book club editions are usually at the bottom of the pack, practically valueless.

Glossary of library terms abstract 1 a brief summary of the points in an article. Sellers of used, rare, and outofprint books often use jargon to precisely describe the condition of their titles. Bauman rare books offers an extraordinary selection of rare books and autographs in all fields. Book glossary terminology used by book publishers, dealers, and collectors. Rare books, learn how to find, buy, and collect them.

Collectible book terms glossary this section of bookpoi provides one of the most comprehensive glossaries, with definitions, of book terms available. The alphabetical list contains unapproved terms and references. This glossary defines nearly 300 terms frequently encountered by stamp collectors and cover collectors. Precise definitions for many philatelic terms do not exist.

Autographed manuscript signed, all in the authors hand. There may be exceptions to some of our definitions our main concern. A thesaurus for use in rare book and special collections cataloging. If a book includes rare, unfamiliar, specialized, or made up words or terms, the glossary serves as a dictionary for the reader to reference throughout their reading of the book. Generally, it is the first page of a book and is part of a single sheet that also spans across the inside of the front board called the front pastedown via a fold along the gutter with the purpose of connecting the boards to the stitched textblock. Bowed a condition where the boards of a hardcover book have turned either inwards or outwards in relation to the leaves. Abaa glossary of book terms antiquarian booksellers. Words with specific british english meanings that have different meanings in american andor additional meanings common to both languages e. Here is our ash rare books guide to the common terms and abbreviations. Glossary wilsey rare books, dealers in rare books on the.

Approval of a plan of reorganization by a bankruptcy judge. Association copy a book once belonging to the author, or signed or annotated by the author to someone closely associated with the author of the book or the book itself in some way. New books are sent to bookstores in cartons but often sustain a fair amount of rubbing in the cartons before they are unpacked, new, from the publisher. Adzine a magazine primarily devoted to the advertising of comic books and collectibles as its first publishing priority as opposed to written articles. The association fosters the appreciation and sales of antiquarian books, prints and manuscripts and promotes professional and ethical standards for its members. Books are frequently described as rare when they are merely valuable. Cancels can be as small as a scrap of paper to correct type, or as large as a page or a signature to correct a section. Apr 09, 2015 taken together with our other glossaries, we hope this list of book condition terms will help you kickstart your book collecting efforts. All auctions until further notice will be online and phone bidding only. Information about book conditions, the various parts of books, sizes and formats, and various terms used in the book world. For more about them and a list of useful bibliographies and reference books, click here. Despite that, some books do arrive at the bookstore in as new condition. View full glossary 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.

The introductory text from the print edition is available. The period between 1868 and 1912 in japanese history. You may encounter some of these terms used to describe books listed on. Glossary of british terms not widely used in the united. Glossary of rare book terms letter t books tell you why. Popular term for a fine and fresh copy, but often an inadequate condition term. Antiquarian books a loose term implying collectible books rather than used books. Visit us online, at our galleries in new york or las vegas, or call us at 180099bauman. Additional or supplementary material generally found at the end of a book. Prison terms for two or more offenses to be served at the same time, rather than one after the other. A glossary of book binding terms books tell you why, inc. What is a glossary in a book how to write a glossary for.

Logo, source, term danish, term dutch, term english, term french, term. While glossaries are most commonly associated with nonfiction books, in some cases. Antiquarian and rare book glossary of terms you should know raptis rare books fine rare and antiquarian first edition books for sale 561. The work begins with the aba, the antiquarian booksellers association the british organization of highend booksellers. A brief workgenerally between 1 and 35 pages in lengthon a topic. Abaa about rare books book glossary about antiquarian books. Book terminology can be complicated and esoteric, but bergers entries provide concise and often entertaining explanations for book history terms from papyrus to e books. An authority on rare books and special collections, berger offers this dictionary for anyone who wants to speak intelligently about booksto use the right terms in the right contexts and with the right meanings. This is the first full edition of a book collectors glossary. A book collectors glossary by carl noe scot kamins, editor. To us, a rare book is one which we may handle every few years. A work whose authenticity or authorship is in doubt. A glossary of constitutional terms digital himalaya. The historical or public records themselves, which are generally noncirculating materials such as collections of personal papers, rare books, ephemera, etc.

Glossary of book terms abaa antiquarian booksellers. Bindings a term generally used in the antiquarian book world to mean fine bindings, of which there are numerous styles. Publishers advertisements adverts or ads are often printed on inserted leaves not integral to the book, and we note their presence or absence, specifying their date or other characteristics if that has bibliographic significance. Like terms describing condition, statements of rarity are somewhat subjective. Glossary of rare book terms letter i books tell you why. Despite that, some books do arrive at the bookstore in. This is a list of british words not widely used in the united states. But there is a proper way of doing things and books have long had a wideranging, welltried and welltrusted language of description. We use the standard bibliographic size terms, as follows.

A glossary, also known as a vocabulary or clavis, is an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms. Glossary of terms brackets brackets are used in several places in describing old and rare books. By appointment only 124 east 74th street new york, ny 10021 phone. The south carolina book dealers association is made up of persons and businesses in south carolina usa, engaged in the selling of rare and outofprint books. Folio 15 inches 4to 12 inches 8vo 9 34 inches 12mo 7 34 inches 16mo 6 34 inches 24mo 5 34 inches 48mo 4 inches 64mo 3 inches. The degree of discoloration varies from very light to heavy, the latter sometimes causing buckling, wrinkling or crumpling on the affected surface due to shrinkage. One collector, dealer or society may define a term in one way, while others will use the term in a slightly different way. Old and rare books, the international league of antiquarian booksellers, ilab. There are photo examples of the terms but please keep in mind that book characteristics and conditions vary. It pays to become familiar with the basic descriptive terms used by used and rare booksellers to communicate a particular books condition. Abebooks glossary of book terms our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar bookrelated terms. Bergers dictionary of the book updates and expands the classic reference work on this topic, john carters abc for book collectors, which was first published in 1952.