Book Terms Definitions - Kruegerbooks rare signed and first editions

Inside KruegerBooks Rare and Fine Books.

Book Terms - Definitions

Condition. (More KruegerBooks Condition Definitions) The physical state of a book. While descriptive terminology offers a general indication of condition, such terminology is inherently subjective. Unfortunately, not even a photograph adequately portrays the condition of a book as a whole. Therefore, most reputable antiquarian booksellers offer their books on approval. Generally, KruegerBooks uses the following terms to describe its books (if a description has two such terms, as in "Fine/Good," the first term refers to the condition of the book, and the second term refers to the condition of the dust jacket):
- Very Fine (VF). The condition of a book that is flawless in every respect. Clearly unread and unused. Some booksellers use the terms "mint," "as new," and "very fine" interchangeably.
- Fine (F). The condition of a book that is nearly flawless and that shows only slight signs of age. Generally reserved for books that are unread and unused, and which are clean, crisp, and very nearly new in condition.
- Very Good (VG). The condition of a book that is clean and sound, showing very little wear. Usually such a book has been read, perhaps several times, and is not as crisp as a new book, but it is nonetheless collectible. Generally the highest grade given to books printed before 1900, and thus highly desirable to collectors of antiquarian books.
- Good (G). The condition of a book that shows signs of wear and aging, but is generally sound and free from major defects; thus a desirable condition for collectors of antiquarian books printed before 1900.

Binding. The cover of a book, usually, but not always, leather or cloth.

Blind-stamp. An impression stamped into a book cover that is not colored with ink or gilt. When the page of a book has been blind-stamped, the stamp is usually that of a previous owner.

Boards. The front and back covers of a hardcover book. So called because many early book covers were originally wood boards.

Buckram. A heavy linen binding cloth often heavily starched or otherwise coated with protective material.

Cloth. A textile binding material.

Contemporary. A contemporary binding is the original binding of a book, and is thus highly desirable.

Dampstain. Very light stain caused by moisture (perspiration, a piece of moist food, etc.). Usually not as severe as waterstains.

Dentelles. French for "lace." An ornate border on a binding, usually gilt. An "inside dentelle" is an ornate border on the part of a binding left showing on the outside edge of the inside of a board after the binding has been folded over the edge of the boards and the pastedown endpaper has been applied.

Endpaper. Sometimes called "endleaves," an endpaper is the double leaf at the very front and back of a book, half of which is pasted to the inside of the boards, the other half of which makes up the front and back free endpapers.

Ex Libris. Latin. "From the library of...."

Foxing. Light tan or brown spots usually caused by the aging of a book's paper or binding over time. Foxing is often more severe in books housed in humid climates.

Format. The format of a book is the number of times a sheet of paper is folded to make the book's pages. Though often used to designate the size of a book, the size of various formats can vary greatly, and format should be understood as only a general indication of size. The formats, with their common abbreviations, are:
- Folio (Fo.). The format created by folding a sheet of paper in half, usually making a book in the shape of an upright rectangle. As a general indication of size, a folio tends to be the largest of the formats.
- Quarto (Qto. 4to). The format created by folding a sheet of paper twice, generally more square in shape than a folio. Quartos can range in size from a book larger than a copy of your local Yellow Pages to a book only half that size.
- Octavo (Oct., 8vo). The most common format of a book, an octavo is created by folding a sheet of paper three times, resulting in a book in the shape of an upright rectangle.
- Duodecimo (12mo). The format of a book generally smaller than octavo and larger than sextodecimo. If you feel compelled to explore the mysteries of this term.
- Sextodecimo (16mo). The format of a small book created by folding a sheet of paper four times.
- Vicesimo-quarto (24mo). The format of a small book generally smaller than a sextodecimo and larger than a tricesimo-secundo. For an exploration of this complex format.
- Tricesimo-secundo (32mo). The format of a small book created by folding a sheet of paper five times.

Frontpiece. An illustration, usually a full page, opposite the title page.

Gutter. The inner margin of a page (near the spine) of a book .

Half-title. The extra page of a book sometimes found preceding the title page, and bearing the title of the book. The half-title originated as a "cover" for the protection of the true title page in the time when books were sold as unbound leaves which were then bound to the buyer's specifications.

Holographic. A document or inscription written in the hand of the person who signed it.

Incunabula (incunabulum, incunable). Books printed before the year 1501.

Leaf. A piece of paper that makes up one page of a book on the recto, and one page on the verso.

Marbled Paper. Decorative paper made by dipping the paper into a bath of multi-colored paint, leaving swirled marble-like designs on the paint, which are often then manipulated with a comb or other instrument into a variety of patterns. Used today primarily as covers or endpapers in luxurious books issued by fine presses.

On Approval. Reputable booksellers often sell antiquarian books "on approval," allowing the purchaser to return a book for a refund within a specified period if the purchaser finds condition to be unacceptable. Thus, "on approval" is simply another version of the familiar phrase "satisfaction guaranteed" used by most mail order vendors. KruegerBooks offers its books on approval.

Parchment. The split skin of a sheep or goat specially treated and used like paper for calligraphy and printing.

Pastedown. The half of an endpaper that is pasted to the inside cover of a book.

Provenance. The record of a book's previous ownership.

Raised Bands. On a cord-bound book, the horizontal raised bands on the spine, usually of a leather binding. Not often used in books published today, except for quality leather-bound editions.

Rebacked. A book that has had the backstrip (part of a cover that covers the spine) replaced.

Recto. The front side of a leaf, which becomes the page on the right side of an open book.

Size. Because the format of a book is only a general indication of size, those concerned about the size of a book should seek an exact measurement, which is usually given in centimeters.

Slip case. A protective box that holds a book or set of books. Slip cases can be made from any material, but today are most often cloth or paper covered cardboard. Slip cases add significant protection to books by absorbing wear and damage that would otherwise be suffered by the book itself.

Vellum. Specially treated calfskin, kidskin, or lambskin used like paper for printing and calligraphy, and sometimes used for binding. The most common material used in medieval manuscripts, it is generally seen today only in a very few luxurious books published by fine presses.

Verso. The back side of a leaf, which becomes the page on the left side of an open book.

Worming. Small hole in the page of a book left by a book worm.

Wrappers (wraps). The cover of a paperback book.

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