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As usual
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A term used to describe normal defects related to ex
library books, i.e., end papers removed, pockets & library stamps.
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Binding
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The method of holding pages together, maybe stapled,
sewn, glued etc. Also refers to the type of binding, see Paperback and
Hardback.
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Boards
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The covers of a hardback book: stiff cardboard
covered with cloth, leather, paper etc.
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Book club edition
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An inexpensive reprint produced for members of a
club, often smaller than standard hardbacks, and using lighter, softer
(less durable) paper.
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Bumped
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Slight bending, creasing or other pressure damage to top & bottom of spine, and corners.
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Chipped
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Small pieces missing from the edges of a dust jacket
or binding
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Clipped
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See Price Clipped
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Cloth
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Book binding material woven from cotton, linen, wool
or synthetic fibers
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Condition
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Description of the state of a book. Where possible I
always give details of any faults, but where generic terms are used these
typically include:
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Mint / As New A book that is in new condition,
that has never been read and is without any defects whatsoever.
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Fine (F) Approaches the above, but not crisp.
May have been carefully read and dust jacket may have been slightly rubbed
or spine ends slightly bumped from shelving/shipping, but no real defects
or faults.
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Very good A used book showing some small signs
of wear on either binding or dust jacket.
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Good The average used and worn book that has
all pages or leaves present.
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Fair A worn book that has complete text pages
(including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title
page, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dust jacket, etc. may also be
worn, binding loose.
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Poor A book that is sufficiently worn that its
only merit is the complete text, which will be legible. Any missing maps
or plates should will be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or
spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
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Ding
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A small bump or dent leaving an impression, sometimes
caused by careless handling or storage or having been leant against by a
biro-wielding owner!
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Dust jacket
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Publisher’s original paper wrapper covering
binding. Ususally decorative. Always desirable in a collectible volume.
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End papers (EPs)
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Front and Back End Papers are those extra leaves
before and after the text & title pages, particularly those pasted to
the inside cover.
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Ex-library
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Legitimately removed from an institutional library,
such as a public library, university library, historical society, etc.
Often has catalog numbers inked or taped on the spine, library bookplates,
embossed or rubber-stamped identification on the title page and plates,
library card pockets, plastic covers and front end papers torn out.
Referred to as "ex-lib. See also “as usual”.
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Facsimile
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A reproduction of a book. Many facsimiles have some
designation on them to distinguish them from the book they are replicating
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FEP
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Front End Paper, see End papers.
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First thus
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Not a first edition, but something new, revised,
having a new introduction by the author or someone else, new
illustrations, but the first publication in its new form or by a new
publisher
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Foxing
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Rust colored spots which occur on paper resulting
from oxidation of both organic and iron impurities left behind during the
paper making process. Only when these impurities exist in the paper, given
exposure to the right humidity and temperature factors, will foxing occur.
This process is intrinsic to the paper; some paper will never have the
rusty, brown, yellow spots known as foxing
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Frontispiece
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An illustration or plate inserted immediately in
front of the title page, with the illustration facing the title page,
often abbreviated as frontis
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Hinge
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The inside portion of the flexible area where book
cover meets the book spine; often used interchangeably with the term
joint, which should be used to designate the outside or exterior portion
of the "hinge". A volume which has received heavy or rough use
often has cracked or broken hinges
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Joint
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The exterior flexible "hinge" where book
cover meets book spine; "hinge" is usually used to designate the
equivalent inside or interior flexible area. The joint is often an area
that splits or cracks or otherwise shows wear in an older cloth or leather
volume
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Limited edition
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Small number of copies of book published. Books are
usually numbered such as "100/500" meaning number 100 of an
edition of 500
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Open tear
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A tear which may have some material missing
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Out-of-print
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No longer available from the publisher.
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Paperback
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A book bound with flexible paper covers; usually a
term reserved for mass-market publications
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Plate
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An illustration(s) printed on a separate sheet of
paper (usually heavy and better quality than the text pages) and added to
the book during the binding process
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Price clipped
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The price on the inner flap of a dust jacket has been
cut off
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Reading copy
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Well worn, usually abused copy of a book, often in
need of rebinding; i.e. suitable for reading, but unlikely to be included
in a book collection unless rebound; sometimes refers to a copy that can
be read, but is not of a quality worth rebinding.
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Reading crease
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A crease
down the spine of a book (usually a paperback);
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Remainder mark
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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 sold at a much lower price.
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Rubbed
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Where
color has been worn from portions of the binding or dust jacket
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Signed
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Refers
to a printed item on which the author (or illustrator or publisher) has
written their name, usually on the end papers, title page, or in the case
of pamphlets on the wrappers
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Slipcase
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A box with one open side, into which a volume or a
multi-volume set is "slipped" for protection; publishers often
issue a slipcase with two and three volume sets
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Soft cover
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Typically is synonymous with paperback, but it can
also describe a book with a limp cover or a flex-cover
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Spine
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The back portion of a book's binding which is visible
when a book is shelved in a bookcase; the portion which is attached at the
joints to the front and rear covers
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Sticker damage
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A price
sticker has been roughly removed resulting in surface damage to the
underlying material
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Sticker ghost
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Sticker has been left on book for some time, and the
glue, reacting chemically, has discolored the surface
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Sticker remains
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A sticker has been partially removed, or wholly
removed but has left glue traces on the cover.
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Sunned
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Browning, yellowing, or fading of paper or binding as
a result of sun exposure
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Tape residue
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Traces of cellophane tape which remains on the paper
or a book's cover, resulting in brown stains or bits of tape adhering to
paper.
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Title page
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The page which gives important information about the
book such as title, author, publisher, date, etc.
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