Abbreviated EP. The double leaves added to the book by the binder that become the pastedowns and free endpapers inside the front and rear covers. These pages are an integral part of the construction of a book, holding the text block and case together. The lack of them drastically shortens the value and life of a book, and should be considered a defect. The endpaper attached to the board is called fixed while the endpaper that is losse is called free.

Endpapers can be white or any color, or they can be decorated or informative. The illustration shows the map endpapers used for Winnie the Pooh.

Printed material of passing interest in every day life (e.g.: advertising, ticket stubs, photos, postcards, programs, some booklets and pamphlets, etc.). Of interest to collectors because they are often the only record of many quotidian events.

The first image shows a 1950s, 4-page airline ticket and matching envelope. The second image shows the cover of a 1937 automobile sales brochure.The third image is of an English theater programme signed by actor John Gielgud. The fourth image shows a political pamphlet comprised of a single, folded sheet. The fith image shows a tag with nutritional information, sent home with a 1945 newborn.

A list of errors and their corrections or additions to the printing, found after a book has been printed, usually on a separate sheet or slip of paper. The plural of erratum. If a particular copy of a book lacks an errata slip when one is known to have been issued, that copy should be considered incomplete. (Note: If the slip of paper does not make a correction, but rather supplies additional information, it is called an Addenda Slip.)

Also EX LIB. Deaccessioned from a public library or collection. These books will have some or all library markings such as call numbers on the spine, pockets or slips at rear, ownership stamps, and similar. In general, these markings detract from the value of a book. Further, care should be exercised to determine that the book has actually been withdrawn from the library (especially for books with substantial value). Libraries sometimes mark books so deaccessioned as withdrawn, but practices vary widely between institutions.

The term indicates a book or material from a private library, as opposed to a public library. Evidence of private ownership can be a signature, name, Bookplate, ink stamp, blind emboss, or blind deboss (blindstamp). Although being EX-LIBRIS is typically considered a defect that may reduce the value of a book, prior ownership by a famous person may increase the value. The first example image shows an EX-LIBRIS bookplate on the front fixed endpaper of a Czech book published in Prague, 1911. The second example shows a free endpaper blind embossed from ownership by actress Rosalind Russell.

Illustrated by additional matter bound into the book after publication, normally done by the owner of the book, not the book’s publisher. Can be viewed as a feature or defect depending on the nature of the additional material.

A book in very worn condition, but retaining all of its important parts including the dust jacket (if issued with one). May be soiled with tears, endpapers missing, etc. Such defects (including a missing jacket) should be noted in descriptions. Also see our page of Condition Definitions.

The Fellowship is an international association of book collecting and bibliophilic clubs and societies. It supports the bibliophilic pursuits and activities of member clubs and affiliates for mutual benefit. FABS sponsors events and study tours, creates bibliophilic programming, publishes a monthly newsletter and a quarterly professional journal, and promotes the public events of its member clubs.

http://www.fabsocieties.org/

A book that has no defects in book or jacket, but not as crisp as it was when new. Also see our page of Condition Definitions.

The first printing of a book, done from the original setting of type. The collectability of the first printing of the first edition was established in the early days of printing, when the type used in the presses would quickly wear away, compromising the readability of the book being printed. (Note: Technically, this term is used to describe any of the printings of a book, done from the original setting of type, at any time until the type is so altered as to constitute a second edition (see “Edition”). In the world of literature and Modern Firsts, the term is used differently, and means the very first printing of those copies, done at the same time. A second print run, though it is technically still the “First Edition”, is not what is meant by the phrase in the world of collectible Modern Firsts.)

Limp, leather, plastic, paper covers which are flexible. Generally less rigid than a softcover and less rigid than a hardcover.

A printed leaflet, handbill, circular, or broadside, generally used for advertising or promotion. Typically, it is a single, flat leaf, but may be folded. Collectors sometimes classify a flier as Ephemera. Flier can be spelled flyer.

Also Fly-Leaves. Singular Flyleaf. Abbreviated FL. Plain (blank) papers at front and rear of book between the printed pages and endpapers.

The bottom edge of the text block.

The right edge of the text block, opposite the spine.

With a fore-edge painting the illustration is executed in the small margin just inside the edge. After the painting has been completed, many of these books have gilt applied to the edge. When the pages of a book thus prepared are fanned, the painting becomes visible. Although fore-edge paintings can be found on manuscripts dating back to the 13th century, the art became popular in the 17th century, and is still being widely practiced today by artists working on 18th and 19th century books in the old styles.

The image shows a fore-edge painting of Roman ruins in a portrait orientation, being taller than it is wide. Perhaps a modern fore-edge painting, which includes human figures dressed in eighteenth-century style clothing, the book was issued in the second half of the nineteenth century having been written and illustrated by two English travelers who were well familiar with the Italy and Rome of their time.

Brown spots thought to be caused by impurities in paper (e.g.: acid, iron, exposure to humidity, etc.). Foxing is more likely to be encountered in older books. It can be seen anywhere within a book but is commonly heavier on the first or last few pages. The term foxing to prelims is used to describe foxing that is heavier on pages at the front and rear of the book than in the center.

In the first image, the foxing is much heavier at the beginning than in the center. Also note the stain at upper left in addition to the foxing. The second image shows a book where foxing is limited to the exterior of the book -- seen on the dust jacket and also on the outside of the cloth binding.

Also Frontis. Usually, the illustration facing title page Occasionally the illustration could be elsewhere near the front of the book and not necessarily opposite the title page.

Groups of printed sheets, after folding, which are put in order and bound in sequence. Also known as signatures.

A repeating, decorative pattern tooled on the edges of the text block. The pattern can be painted, stained, tooled, and/or gilt. Tooling can be accomplished manually with punches or mechanically with patterned rollers.