A printed publication announcement issued to promote a book or books. Often issued by better presses, the prospectus is sometimes printed using the same typography and paper that is planned for the publication. A prospectus may be accompanied by other Ephemera, such as example leaves, a press catalog, a subscriber brochure, an order card for the book, or an envelope to hold these materials.

The example shows a prospectus accompanied by an order card and a card stating the tentative date of publication.

Evidence of the history of the ownership of a particular book (e.g.: auction records, booksellers’ records, book plates, etc.) The book may be important because of who owned it-–perhaps a president or important bookseller, collector, royalty, or someone who may be related to the book in some way. Important in establishing the ownership of especially rare items.

Provincial Booksellers’ Fairs Association is a UK-based bookselling organization founded in 1972 to take books out to the people with “Book Fairs”. PFBA has long held book fairs in York, London, Edinburgh and elsewhere throughout the United Kingdom. Online virtual fairs are offered, as well.

An assumed name used to protect the anonymity of an author.

An abbreviation for published/publisher.

Binding provided by the publisher when supplying a book for sale, as distinct from a book published in wraps or simple boards for subsequent binding by the purchaser. This practice, while common today, dates from the 1800s.

A book with its spine bound in a different material than the boards (generally denoting a leather spine and cloth- or paper-covered boards). See Half Binding.

Rare Book School (RBS) offers courses on specific aspects of book history, bibliography, printing, book arts, and other related topics. Most in-person courses are offered in the summer in Charlottesville, VA, USA, but others are online or held in other East Coast cities at various times of year. Annually, IOBA and others offer scholarships to those wishing to improve their knowledge and skills.

https://rarebookschool.org/

A nice way of describing a book that is complete in text and plates, but so badly worn or soiled that in its current condition it is good only for reading, and cannot be considered as “collectible”. Also tends to suggest that the book has faults that make it not worth rebinding, else otherwise it might be described as a Binding Copy.

A crease down the spine of a book (most often of a paperback). These occur when a book has been opened too far while being read.

Cookbooks are sometimes opened to a specific recipe; the bindings are not designed to allow the book to be fully opened.

The second image is of a rather well read paperback and shows shows three white vertical lines on the spine. These are reading creases.

An actual photograph printed on postcard-sized paper and printed on the reverse for use as a postcard.

These can be unique, or nearly so, as seen in the first example image showing a view of a little-observed event from the first World War, or they can be often-reproduced images for sale to tourists, as seen in the second example image showing two different postcards of a man climbing a coconut tree.

These cards may be postally used as seen in the first image, or retained as keepsakes as seen in the second image. The photographs are generally black and white, but they might be hand-colored as seen in the second image.

A repair to a book, where the original spine has been replaced. If the original spine or backstrip can be salvaged, it might be glued down on the new spine. The result of the latter is found in bookseller’s catalogs thus: “Rebacked, with the original spine laid down (or laid on or retained).” Can be considered a defect, i.e., there is original material that has been lost. However, an expertly repaired volume can be worth more than the book in its original but unrepaired condition.

The book pictured has been skillfully rebacked while retaining the original boards. Note the color of the new spine cloth matches the existing red quite closely. The spine labels are new as no part of the spine was present when the rebacking was done.

A repair, where the entire binding has been replaced by a new one.

A repair, where a book is taken apart and put back together using original pages, cloth, and endpapers. Usually this is done to tighten the sewing or to wash the pages, etc.

A right-hand page, when a book is open and facing the reader. The other side of the recto is the Verso.

A book designated by the publisher, distributor, or bookstore to be sold as discounted stock. Bookstores often return new, unsold books to their publishers. Publishers, distributors, and bookstores can decide to remainder them due to slow sales, overstock, or any other reason. Remaindered books cannot be returned to the publisher and are customarily identified by a Remainder Mark. 

A mark (rubber stamp, felt marker stroke, or spray, often on a book’s bottom edge) signifying that the book was returned to publisher as unsold, and then offered for sale again later at a much lower price. Considered to be a defect by collectors. Some booksellers use similar marks to denote books they have sold at a discount to avoid repurchasing them.

A trade term. Returnable. The item may be returned for refund.

A copy of a new book sent free-of-charge for purposes of review. Often includes a laid in review slip with publishing information. Not necessarily a first edition. As distinct from an Advance Review Copy.

After becoming wet, a book may develop waves across the surface of the paper as it dries. These waves will follow the grain of the paper. With better paper, the waves will be shallow and difficult to see, although apparent to the touch. Books subjected to moist or humid conditions, like fog, can develop a lesser degree of rippling.

The example 1943 AQHA Stud Book and Registry became wet, dried with the wave lines shown, and all pages stuck together. This book is scarce and in poor condition, yet remains a useful Reading Copy as the pages have become unstuck with no losses to text.