A change, textual or otherwise, made after the book has been published. (e.g.: The first issue of Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court has an “s”-like ornament between “The” and “King” on page 59. In the case of many of C. S. Forester’s books, sheets were printed but not bound at the same time; when they were, sometimes years later, they were bound in differently colored bindings. The color of the binding then became an issue point.)

A smooth, durable, cream-colored paper, hand-made in Japan from long plant fibers, primarily the interior bark of trees. Japon vellum is an often-confused imitation created by acid treatment of plain paper. Japan vellum, despite the name, is not related to true vellum which is prepared from animal skin or membrane.

The image depicts a Mosher Press book from a special edition of 50 printed on Japan vellum and bound in stiff Japan vellum covers.

An exterior junction where a cover or side meets the Spine.

An item included in a book that is neither bound-in nor glued down. Might include paper, photograph, or print either supplied by the publisher (example, an errata slip laid-in) or by a previous owner. Also Laid-In.

The image shows a publisher's slip laid in an author-inscribed, advance review copy.

Laid paper is made on a mould, which consists of a rectangular frame to which is attached a fine mesh of wires parallel to the long sides of the mold. These fine wires are crossed by somewhat thicker wires, called chain lines, that run parallel to the short sides of the mold. The wire lines (also called laid lines) and the chain lines can clearly be seen when the paper is held up to the light.

The thin plastic layer covering the covers or dust jacket of some books.

A leaf is a single sheet as bound in a book or pamphlet, or printed as a broadside. In a book it can be printed on both sides, which are pages: the right-hand page being the recto, the left-hand page being the verso. A broadside is a single leaf, typically printed only on the recto.

Full leather, or full bound, describes books bound entirely in leather over the spine and boards, with no other external material.

The image shows a 1629 edition of Francis Bacon's Sylva Sylvarum in full leather binding.

Half leather (1/2), or half bound, describes books bound in leather at the spine and with boards covered in paper, cloth, or other material.

The usage is subjective, and the term is more traditionally used for books bound in leather at the spine and corners, usually when the latter are somewhat limited in size, with boards covered in paper, cloth, or other material.

The first image shows a half leather binding without leather corners, with paper over boards. The second image shows a half leather binding with leather corners, with paper over boards.

Quarter leather (1/4), or quarter bound, describes books bound in leather at the spine, with boards covered in paper, cloth, or other material. Typically, the leather is narrow, covering the spine and no more than one-eighth the width of the boards.

The usage is subjective, and the term is used by some to describe what others term a LEATHER - HALF LEATHER / HALF BOUND binding without leather corners.

Both images show a book bound in quarter leather, the remainder being in cloth. 

Calf skin that is reversed with the flesh side or burr outward to present a suede-like appearance. Reversed calf is not durable, thus older examples may be in a deteriorated state.

The first image shows the burr of the leather on a copy of 12 George III Statutes from 1772. The second image shows how the burr of the leather has been smoothed or polished by repeated handling.

Describes books bound in leather with the soft, napped underside used as the exterior surface. The binding can be full or partial. Lamb, goat, and calf are commonly used. Suede leather is typically flexible, pliable, and less durable than leathers with a smooth surface.

The first image shows a Roycroft catalog bound in full suede. The second image shows how suede leather can be blind-stamped.

Three quarter leather (3/4), or three quarter bound, describes books bound in leather at the spine and corners, usually when the latter are large, with boards covered in paper, cloth, or other material.

The first image shows a three quarter leather binding with large leather corners, with paper over boards. The second image shows a similar binding with marbled paper over boards.

Leather, the hide of an animal, has long been a preferred material for binding books. When properly cared for, leather has proven to be durable and stable, often retaining its desirable qualities for centuries. Commonly used types include:

• Cow - Strong, smooth, may have more grain than calf, durable.

• Calf - Strong, smooth, little or no grain, readily toolable, durable, used in fine bindings.

• Goat - Supple, pronounced grain, durable, used in fine bindings.

• Pig - Stiff, shows graining, durable for bindings to be heavily used.

• Sheep - Soft, pliable, little grain, not as durable as calf, used by the legal profession and in inexpensive bindings.

• Lamb - Soft, pliable, not durable.

• Suede - Soft, pliable, split typically from goat, lamb, or sheep, not durable, used for decorative gift books and other inexpensive bindings.

Less commonly, books have been bound using alligator, deer, fish, kangaroo, lizard, ostrich, or other skins and hides. 

When describing books bound in leather, it is common to use terms that describe the amount and location of the leather being used.

• Quarter leather (1/4). This term is used when either the spine or corners are bound in leather. See LEATHER - QUARTER LEATHER / QUARTER BOUND.

• Half leather (1/2). This describes books bound in leather at the spine and corners, usually when these are somewhat limited in size. See LEATHER - HALF LEATHER / HALF BOUND.

• Three quarter leather (3/4). Used more commonly to describe books bound in leather at the spine and corners. See LEATHER - THREE QUARTER LEATHER / THREE QUARTER BOUND.

• Full leather. The entire book is bound in leather, including the spine, corners and boards. See LEATHER - FULL LEATHER / FULL BOUND.

There is subjectivity in the definition of these terms and their usage varies among collectors, booksellers, and even bookbinders, but applying any given term consistently is most important in describing leather bindings.

Libraries sometimes work with delicate materials, such as pamphlets with paper wrappers, paperback books or poorly constructed hardcover books. In addition, library patrons sometimes damage books by their handling.

For these reasons, libraries will seek to bind (or rebind) these items so they are better able to be used.

Books in libraries are often handled much more that those held in private hands. As a result, libraries have developed ways of protecting and repairing materials for customer usage. Many of the alterations libraries make are damaging to the book, and most books so modified are no long considered collectible. Books from libraries should be described as such when buying and selling them.

One common description is to denote former library books as ex-library with the usual markings. Books so described can be expected to have one or more of the following defacements.

Separate page in a book used to describe any kind of a limit on the number of copies. Often this page will show the specific size of the edition and perhaps the copy number. For signed editions, this page will often also include the signature. A statement of limitation may also be a part of the Colophon.

Page shown is from The Rose of Seth Denis Santos illustrated by Don Herron.

An edition produced in a stated number of copies, typically a small number. Such books may state only the total number of copies, such as 500, or may state the individual number of the copy and the total number of copies, such as 49/500. A limited edition series that is reserved for special binding or a special purpose may be lettered, such as E/50. A copy from an individually numbered edition is said to be out of series or out of sequence if it lacks an individual copy number. Limited editions often describe the size and edition details on a Colophon or Limitation Page.

The first image shows the total edition number, the number of copies available for sale, and the individual copy number. The second image shows the total edition number and the individual copy number.

This is the process of printing from a stone, or metal plate, that has been ground and lapped flat. The design to be printed is drawn or printed on the stone using an oily pigment, while the rest of the stone is treated to absorb water. The stone is charged with oil-based ink by dampening it, then rolling an inked cylinder across the surface which accepts the ink on the design, but not the dampened areas. A print is made by placing paper on the stone and pressing the paper. Abbreviated Litho.

The three images show stones for lithographing different types of documents.