Book collecting glossary

A copy with a meaningful link to the author, such as one inscribed to a friend, family member or someone named in the book. Usually worth more than a plain signed copy.

The stiff front and back covers of a hardback, covered in cloth, paper or leather. "Pictorial boards" are printed with the cover design.

A copy printed for a book club and sold to members at a discount. Often looks like the trade first but is worth far less.

A label pasted inside the front cover recording an owner. A plate of a notable owner adds provenance; an ordinary one slightly lowers value.

Small pieces missing from the edges of a dust jacket, usually at the head and foot of the spine.

A book whose spine has twisted so it no longer sits square, usually from being shelved at a lean.

A note, usually at the end of the book, giving printing details such as the printer, typeface or limitation.

The trade scale for describing a book or jacket: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Book and jacket are graded separately.

The back of the title page, where publication details, impressions and the number line are printed. Also called the verso.

The paper cover wrapped around a hardback. For many modern first editions it carries most of the value.

All copies printed from one setting of the type. One edition can run to many impressions.

The double leaves pasted inside the front and back covers. Some books have printed or illustrated endpapers that differ between printings.

A copy once owned by a library, usually with stamps, labels or pockets. Graded down heavily.

A modern reproduction of a dust jacket. Adds little value and must always be described as a facsimile.

The first edition of a work. Collectors usually mean the first printing (impression) of that edition.

The first printing of an edition: the copy most collectors mean by a first edition.

The first appearance of a book in a particular form, such as a new publisher or new illustrated edition. Not the first edition of the work.

A blank leaf at the front or back of the book, after the endpapers. Where owners often write names and inscriptions.

Brown spots on paper, encouraged by damp. Common in older books and graded as a fault.

Gold-coloured lettering or decoration on the spine or covers. "Top edge gilt" means the top page edges are gilded.

The leaf before the title page, carrying only the book's title.

One run of an edition on the press, also called a printing. Later impressions are often marked "Second impression" or by a number line.

Signed by the author with a personal message, often to a named person.

A deliberate change made after some copies of an edition were released, creating an earlier and a later form.

An edition printed in a stated number of copies, usually numbered and often signed.

A book in a jacket that did not originally belong to it, such as a first printing in a later printing's jacket.

A row of numbers on the copyright page. The lowest number usually gives the printing.

Documented details that tell the first printing of a book from later ones, such as misprints, binding colours or jacket prices.

A dust jacket with the price corner of the front flap cut away. Lowers value and should always be stated.

An early copy printed before publication for reviewers, often in plain wrappers. Collected separately from the first edition.

The record of a book's previous owners. A notable owner can add value.

A stamp, spray or line on the page edges marking a copy sold off cheaply as surplus stock. A fault.

A loose binding: the text block moves in its covers.

Bearing the author's signature, without a personal message.

A variant created during printing, before publication, such as a correction made part way through the run.

Faded by light, usually on the spine of a book or jacket.

The page giving the book's title, author and publisher, near the front.

Even browning of paper with age, common in cheaper paper. Less serious than foxing.

The back of a leaf; on the title page it is the copyright page.

Paper covers on a book, as on a paperback or a proof.