Refers to binding that has not been loosened by frequent opening of the book. This term has been overused and should not be a default description without examining the book in-hand.

Paper, photograph, or print produced separately from the main text and glued down by only a narrow strip.

At the front of a book (usually the first or second page), containing such important information as the author, title, and typically, the city where the book was published, the publisher, and date.

Typed letter signed.

The decoration of leather bindings.

Refers to the application of metallic gold or a gold-colored finish to only the top edge of the text block.

The example shows a text block with a gold-colored finish that is not metallic gold.

The publisher’s decorative colored stain, applied to the top edge of the pages. The color will usually be referenced, as top stain blue.

The image shows three examples--one in red, one a reddish-brown, and one that is a now faded green.

An edition sold through bookstores, as opposed to those meant for private or specialized distribution.

A large sized paperbound book; not a mass-market paperback.

A book that was never bound into covers, such as “unbound sheets” which were, for whatever reason, never bound by the publisher. Not to be confused with Disbound.

A pre-publication printing intended for editorial use, or occasionally to be sent out for review. Usually issued in plain colored wrappers.

Edges that are roughly cut, rather than being neatly trimmed by the binders. Often confused with unopened.

A series of volumes of an author's works with a uniform binding style and size. These were commonly published as complete sets, but were sometimes serialized with volumes published sequentially over a period of time.

The example images show a uniform edition that was issued in a serialized manner. The volumes were issued individually, every two years, until the edition was complete.

When folded edges of bound pages remain joined together and have not been sliced open. The inner pages cannot be read. Often confused with uncut.

Presses and publishers that publish books at the author’s expense.

A copy of a book that varies in some way from the ideal copy. Can refer to binding color, illustrations, etc.

A thin sheet of specially prepared calf skin which is not tanned but de-greased to be used for writing, printing, or as a binding material; considered superior in quality to parchment. If the skin cannot be identified as calf, current practice trends toward use of the term parchment which encompasses most prepared animal skins.

The left page of an open book, when it is open and facing the reader. The back of a leaf. Also called the reverse.

Light wear to book, and/or jacket; no large tears or major defects. One of the most often used terms. Also see our page of Condition Definitions.

Volume/Volumes.