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"Biernägel"

Translation(s)

English: "Biernägel"

German: Biernägel

"Englische Broschur"

Translation(s)

English: "Englische Broschur"

German: Englische Broschur

"Franzband" (leather binding)

Translation(s)

English: "Franzband" (leather binding)

German: Franzband

"Manuldruck"

Translation(s)

English: "Manuldruck"

German: Manuldruck

"Mumiendruck"

Translation(s)

English: "Mumiendruck"

German: Mumiendruck

"Weißlinienschnitt"

A woodcut where the lines are printed in white, instead of black.

Translation(s)

English: "Weißlinienschnitt"

German: Weiß(linien)schnitt

(Autograph) dedication

Translation(s)

English: (Autograph) dedication

French: Envoi (autographe)

German: (Eigenhändige) Widmung

Dutch: Opdracht (eigenhandige)

Danish: (Egenhændig) dedikation

Italian: Dedica (autografa), invio

Spanish: Dedicatoria, obsequio, con dedicatoria

Swedish: (Egenhändig) dedikation

16mo

Translation(s)

English: 16mo

German: Sedez

a.e.g.

All edges gilt, gilt applied to top edge, bottom edge & foreedge of the volume (see also g.t. and a.e.m.).

Translation(s)

English: a.e.g.

French: tranches dorées

German: Goldschnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

a.e.m.

All edges marbled, marbling applied to top edge, bottom edge & foreedge of volume (see also a.e.g. and g.t.).

Translation(s)

English: a.e.m.

French: tranches marbrées

German: Farbschnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Abridgment

Translation(s)

English: Abridgment

French: Abrégé

German: Auszug

Dutch: Uittreksel, ccompendium

Danish: Uddrag, udtog

Italian: Compendio, sommario, epitome

Spanish: Abreviado (a)

Swedish: Sammandrag, utdrag

Acetate

A clear plastic, sometimes used by publishers as a dustjacket. Acetate can be printed on, so modern publishers sometimes incorporate designs on an acetate jacket that complement the design of the book's boards underneath. Acetate tends to yellow, shrink, and crack as it ages - vintage books with original acetate jackets can be very difficult or impossible to obtain with the acetate as fresh and clear as it was originally.

Translation(s)

English: Acetate

French: Acetate

German: Acetate

Dutch: Acetate

Danish: Acetate

Italian: Acetate

Spanish: Acetate

Swedish: Acetate

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Added

Translation(s)

English: Added

French: Ajouté

German: Angebunden

Dutch: Bijgevoegd, ingevoegd

Danish: Tilføjet, vedlagt

Italian: Aggiunto

Spanish: Agregado

Swedish: Bifogad

Additional leaf (not paginated)

Translation(s)

English: Additional leaf (not paginated)

German: Einschaltblatt

Adhesive binding

Translation(s)

English: Adhesive binding

German: Klebebindung

Swedish: Limbindning

ADS

Autograph document signed

Translation(s)

English: ADS

French: LAS

German: L.A.S.

Dutch: Eigenhandige brief met ondertekening

Danish: Signeret egenhændigt brev

Italian: Lettera autografa firmata

Spanish: Carta autógrafa firmada

Swedish: Signerat, egenhändigt brev

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Advance copy

Translation(s)

English: Advance copy

French: Préfaçon

German: Vorabdruck

Advance Reading Copy (ARC)

A pre-publication state of the book, often a wrappered issue with the artwork intended for use with the published book, so that it looks like a paperback version. Advance Reading Copies are often sent to the reviewers and managers of bookstores several months before the first editions of the book will be offered for sale. Sometimes abbreviated ARC in the book trade.

Translation(s)

English: Advance Reading Copy (ARC)

French: Advance Reading Copy (ARC)

German: Vorabexemplar

Swedish: Förhandsexemplar, läsexemplar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Advance Review Copy

A pre-publication state of the finished book, usually with supplemental material such as a review slip, a letter from the publisher, or a photograph of the author laid-in. Advance Review Copies, sometimes just called Review Copies, are usually taken from the first printing of the book. But whereas other copies are boxed by the publisher and distributed to go on sale at a specific later date, Review Copies are sent out in advance of this so that newspaper and magazine staff have an opportunity to review the book before it is offered for sale.

Translation(s)

English: Advance Review Copy

French: Advance Review Copy

German: Rezensionsexemplar

Swedish: Recensionsexemplar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Advance sheets

The unbound sheets of a new book, often galleys, distributed prior to publication.

Translation(s)

English: Advance sheets

French: Advance sheets

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Advertisements

Many books & pamphlets, especially of the 19th century contained ads, especially ones advertising others books by the same publisher,often located at the back of the volume, following the text pages.

Translation(s)

English: Advertisements

French: Publicité

German: Verlagsanzeigen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Affixed

Adhered in some way by glue, tape, or some other method of adhesion. Sometimes that which is affixed can be unfixed, but it isn't always wise to do so.

Translation(s)

English: Affixed

French: collées

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Afterword, epilogue

Translation(s)

English: Afterword, epilogue

French: Postface

German: Nachwort

Dutch: Nawoord, epiloog

Danish: Efterskrift, epilog

Italian: Postfazione

Spanish: Epílogo

Swedish: Efterskrift, slutord

Age-toned

A natural tanning or darkening of certain types of paper which occurs over long periods of exposure to air or ambient light. Some books, by nature of their construction, are always seen with some amount of age-toning. Some booksellers prefer the term "mellowed," a term best perhaps reserved for the feeling one gets after a few cocktails.

Translation(s)

English: Age-toned

French: Papier jauni

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ahearn

One of two book collecting guides written by Allen and Patricia Ahearn. The most recent editions are Book Collecting 2000 and Collected Books: The Guide to Values. The first is an excellent one-volume overview of book collecting, with price estimates for the first books by thousands of authors. The second is a straightforward price guide, with the added bonus older price data. Every major book dealer has these guides in their personal reference collection and usually right at his or her desk (yes, even in the age of the Internet), which ought to tell you something about their worth.

Translation(s)

English: Ahearn

French: Ahearn

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Aldine

Translation(s)

English: Aldine

French: Aldine

German: Aldine

Swedish: Aldustryck, aldiner

All Edges Gilt

The binder has trimmed and gilded the three exposed sides of the text block (that is, the top edge, fore edge, and bottom edge). Abbreviated as a.e.g.

Translation(s)

English: All Edges Gilt

French: Doré sur tranches ou tranches dorées

German: Goldschnitt

Dutch: Vergulde snede

Danish: Guldsnit

Italian: Taglio dorato

Spanish: Corte dorado

Swedish: Guldsnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

All published

The book or set is complete as is, and any additional parts or volumes were never published.

Translation(s)

English: All published

French: Seuls publiés

German: Alles Erschienene

Swedish: Allt som utkommit

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Almanac

"A kalendar, usually in pocket-book (more rarely sheet) form, augmented with Saints’ days, fair-dates and astronomical and meteorological data; a bestseller from the start and protected by jealously guarded patents, the different titles, hot rivals in the 17th century, were all finally swallowed up by Dr Francis Moore’s Vox Stellarum, familiarly known as ‘Old Moore’s Almanack’." (Carter, ABC for Book Collectors)

Translation(s)

English: Almanac

French: Almanachs et Almanachs royaux

German: Almanach

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

ALS

Autograph Letter Signed, meaning (unless other qualifiers are given) that the entire letter is written out by hand by the author and signed.

Translation(s)

English: ALS

French: Autographe

German: Autograph

Dutch: Autograaf

Danish: Autograf

Italian: Autografo

Spanish: Autógrafo

Swedish: Autograf

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

American Book Prices Current

Sometimes abbreviated as ABPC. A long-running guide, now available on CD-ROM, of auction prices realized (hammer prices, without the buyer premium) for most major book auctions. Like any other price guideline, the information from the ABPC must be taken in context. For the European Market there is "Auktionspreise Online" (of the German Antiquarian Booksellers' Association) and "Jahrbuch der Auktionspreise".

Translation(s)

English: American Book Prices Current

French: Amercian Book Prices Current

German: American Book Prices Current

Swedish: Bokauktion

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Anagram

Translation(s)

English: Anagram

French: Anagramme

German: Anagramm

Analects

Translation(s)

English: Analects

German: Analekten

Annotated

Including critical and explanatory notes.

Translation(s)

English: Annotated

French: Annoté

German: Kommentierte Ausgabe

Dutch: Geannoteerd

Danish: Forsynet med noter

Italian: Annotato

Spanish: Anotado

Swedish: Med noter, med anmärkningar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Annotation, note

Translation(s)

English: Annotation, note

French: Annotation

German: Fußnote

Dutch: Aantekening

Danish: Anmærkning, note

Italian: Annotazione, nota

Spanish: Anotación

Swedish: Anmärkning, not

Annotator

Translation(s)

English: Annotator

French: Annotateur

German: Bearbeiter

Dutch: Testverklaarder, tekstcommentator

Danish: Kommentator, fortolker

Italian: Commentatore

Spanish: Anotador

Swedish: Kommentator

Anonymus

"There is the formal anonymity of a book whose author, though his name is not on it, is known (e.g. Gulliver’s Travels, The Vicar of Wakefield or Sense and Sensibility). For the cataloguing of these and similar pseudonymous books (e.g. Alice in Wonderland or Jane Eyre), some booksellers use, and others dispense with, the conventional square (or equally common round) brackets.There is also, however, the real anonymity of ‘authorship unknown’. And once in a while the cataloguer has to admit defeat.Since a book by an unidentified author is harder to sell (other things being equal) than one of known paternity, it may reasonably be assumed that he has consulted halkett and laing and the other obvious reference books." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Anonymus

French: Anonyme

German: Anonym

Dutch: Anoniem

Danish: Anonym

Italian: Anonimo

Spanish: Anónimo

Swedish: Anonym

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

ANS

Autograph note signed

Translation(s)

English: ANS

French: LAS

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Antedated

Translation(s)

English: Antedated

French: Antidaté

German: Vordatiert

Dutch: Geantidateerd

Danish: Antedateret

Italian: Antedatato, retrodatato

Spanish: Antedata

Swedish: Antedaterad

Anthology

Translation(s)

English: Anthology

French: Anthologie

German: Anthologie

Dutch: Bloemlezing, anthologie

Danish: Antologi

Italian: Antologia

Spanish: Antología

Swedish: Antologi

Antiphonary

Translation(s)

English: Antiphonary

German: Antiphonar

Antiquarian Bookseller

“The lines of demarcation between ‘rare books’, ‘old books’ and ‘second-hand books’ have never been, and can never be, clearly defined. The same applies to most of those who deal in them; and the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association makes no distinction between a man who specialises in incunabula, another who deals only in modern firsts, a third who restricts himself to botany, and finally a general second-hand dealer, provided that his business is primarily in old books. The most comprehensive directories are those published by the Sheppard Press, London: Dealers in Secondhand and Antiquarian Books in the British Isles, now in its tenth edition, European Book Dealers, and Book Dealers in North America (arranged regionally as well as by specialities); the same firm’s Directory of Book Collectors should also be noted. In the U.S.A. there are the seven regional issues of David S. and Susan Siegel The Used Book Lover’s Guides.” (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Bookseller

French: Librairie ancienne

German: Antiquariat

Swedish: Antikvariat

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA)

<p>Founded in 1906 and the oldest organisation of its kind in the world, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association is the senior trade body for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and allied materials in the British Isles. Members are elected to the ABA solely on the basis of proven experience, expertise and integrity. They are required to observe the highest professional and ethical standards. The display of the Association’s badge pledges members to: the authenticity of all material offered for sale, the expert and proper description of all such material, the disclosure of all significant defects or restorations, the clear, accurate and professional pricing of all material, the fairness and honesty of offers to purchase. For the last forty years, the Association has run a small number of high quality book fairs. At present there are two major fairs each year. The Antiquarian Book Fair is held at Olympia during the June Antiques and Fine Arts fortnight, and the Chelsea Book Fair takes place in Chelsea Old Town Hall during November. A smaller fair with about 50 exhibitors is held in Edinburgh each spring. The Association provides a Benevolent Fund for charitable use to help all UK antiquarian booksellers and their dependants, and also for educational purposes. Details: www.aba.org.uk</p>

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA)

French: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA)

German: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA)

Dutch: ABA

Danish: ABA

Italian: ABA

Spanish: ABA

Swedish: ABA

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America is the American organization that represents the rare book trade. It consists of approximately 475 members and their firms, and counts among their numbers most of the country's best rare booksellers. Most competent and ethical booksellers in the U.S. should probably aspire to eventual membership. Since 1949 the ABAA has a published Code of Ethics for its members, and works hard to enforce it. ABAA sponsors three annual rare book fairs, the best of their kind in America, and many would say in the world - the New York, California (which alternates between San Francisco and Los Angeles), and Boston. See www.abaa.org

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)

French: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)

German: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)

Dutch: ABAA

Danish: ABAA

Italian: ABAA

Spanish: ABAA

Swedish: ABAA

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada / Association de la Librairie Ancienne du Canada (ABAC)

Established in 1966, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada (ABAC) or Association de la Librairie Ancienne du Canada (ALAC) became an ILAB member in 1970. Eric Waschke serves as current president of the ABAC which unites 65 Canadian booksellers today. The ABAC is the premier organization of professional antiquarian booksellers in Canada who provide books in all collecting areas, and for all tastes. It was founded with the aim of fostering interest in rare books and manuscripts and maintaining high standards in the antiquarian book trade. To further these objectives the ABAC sponsors book fairs and endeavours to stimulate interest in book collecting by private collectors and public institutions. In 2005, the ABAC welcomed the ILAB Presidents to their annual meeting in Montréal. Membership is open to antiquarian booksellers of good character and reputation who have been actively and solely engaged for at least three continuous years in the buying and selling of antiquarian books, and whose principal place of business is Canada. Applicants have to provide four recommendations from members in good standing who vouch for the applicant's expertise and integrity. ABAC booksellers offer a broad variety of antiquarian and rare material which they are qualified to describe, authenticate and guarantee. They have one or more fields of expertise. This expertise is partially demonstrated through scholarship, bibliographic descriptions, collations, catalogues, lists, quotes and appraisals. An ABAC bookseller must also have a good reference library of bibliographies and standard reference works. See www.abac.org

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada / Association de la Librairie Ancienne du Canada (ABAC)

French: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada / Association de la Librairie Ancienne du Canada (ABAC)

German: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada / Association de la Librairie Ancienne du Canada (ABAC)

Dutch: ABAC

Danish: ABAC

Italian: ABAC

Spanish: ABAC

Swedish: ABAC

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ)

30 rare booksellers from Tokyo, Kyoto, Sapporo, Osaka and Kumamoto are organized in the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ) that was founded in November 1964 and joined the League in 1965. Since then the Japanese ILAB affiliates have deeply influenced the history of the League. Mitsuo Nitta, Chair of the ILAB Breslauer Prize Committee, was awarded an ILAB membership of honour. Current ABAJ President Takehiko Sakai has recently been interviewed for the ILAB website. By actively engaging in the antiquarian book trade, the ABAJ aims to contribute to the intercourse between East and West, the rediscovery and preservation of valuable cultural assets, and the bequeathing of those assets to future generations. All ABAJ members are required to possess professional knowledge and sufficient experience in the antiquarian book trade, and to strictly adhere to the ILAB Code of Ethics. An international antiquarian book fair is held in Tokyo. The next fair will take place at the renowned Izumi Garden Gallery from March 11th to 13th, 2010. See www.abaj.gr.jp

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ)

French: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ)

German: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ)

Dutch: ABAJ

Danish: ABAJ

Italian: ABAJ

Spanish: ABAJ

Swedish: ABAJ

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Korea (ABAK)

26 Korean antiquarian booksellers established the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Korea (ABAK) in 1989. During the 30th ILAB Congress in Tokyo they were formally admitted as the 18th ILAB member. Like all affiliates the ABAK booksellers adhere to the code of ethics and good practices. The Korean Association organizes a yearly antiquarian bookfair in Seoul, which, as the Korean market in general, is mainly devoted to early Korean books and manuscripts.

Translation(s)

English: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Korea (ABAK)

French: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Korea (ABAK)

German: Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Korea (ABAK)

Dutch: ABAK

Danish: ABAK

Italian: ABAK

Spanish: ABAK

Swedish: ABAK

Appendix

Translation(s)

English: Appendix

French: Appendice

German: Anhang

Dutch: Aanhangsel

Danish: Tillæg

Italian: Appendice

Spanish: Apéndice

Swedish: Tillägg, bilaga, bihang

Apud

Latin expression for "printed by". More commonly used to denote the bookseller/publisher for whom the work was printed.

Translation(s)

English: Apud

German: Apud

Aquatint

An etching method widely used in late-Eighteenth and early-Nineteenth century illustrated books, frequently colored by hand after printing.

Translation(s)

English: Aquatint

French: Aquatinte

German: Aquatinta

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Armorial bearing

Translation(s)

English: Armorial bearing

French: Blason

German: Wappensupralibros

Dutch: Blazoen, wapenschild

Danish: Våbenskjold

Italian: Blasone, stemma

Spanish: Blasón

Swedish: Vapensköld

Arms

Translation(s)

English: Arms

French: Armes

German: Wappen

Dutch: Wapen

Danish: Våben

Italian: Armi

Spanish: Armas

Swedish: Vapen

As new

Popular term for a fine and fresh copy, but often an inadequate condition term. New books are sent to bookstores in cartons but often sustain a fair amount of rubbing in the cartons before they are unpacked, "new," from the publisher. Despite that, some books do arrive at the bookstore in "as new" condition.

Translation(s)

English: As new

French: A l'état neuf

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

As usual

A term used to describe normal defects related to ex library books, i.e., endpapers removed, pockets & library stamps.

Translation(s)

English: As usual

French: Habituels

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Associação Brasileira de Liveiros Antiquarios (ABLA)

Eight rare booksellers from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo belong to the Associação Brasileira de Livreiros Antiquários (ABLA), whose president is Ana Maria Bocayuva de Miranda Jordão. The ABLA was established in 1945 by Walter Geyerhahn, his brother Stefan Geyerhahn and Erich Eichner, proprietors of the "Livraria Editora KOSMOS" that had been located in Rio de Janeiro since 1935. Among the dozens of important 19th century works re-edited by Livraria Kosmos was the highly acclaimed "Bibliografia Brasiliana", which was written by Rubem Borba de Moraes. The Brazilian Association joined the League in 1954. All ABLA booksellers strictly adhere to the ILAB Code of Ethics. Their motto is: Competence, Reliability, and Tradition. The founder of the ABLA, Walter Geyerhahn, was president until his death in 1990. Patrick Levy, a partner of the 53 year-old "Livraria Susan Bach", succeeded him until 1994, when Ana Maria Bocayuva de Miranda Jordão of Sebo Fino Livraria Antiquaria assumed the presidency. Sebo Fino was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

Translation(s)

English: Associação Brasileira de Liveiros Antiquarios (ABLA)

French: Associação Brasileira de Liveiros Antiquarios (ABLA)

German: Associação Brasileira de Liveiros Antiquarios (ABLA)

Dutch: ABLA

Danish: ABLA

Italian: ABLA

Spanish: ABLA

Swedish: ABLA

Association

An inscription in a book, usually authorial, that indicates that a personal relationship exists between the inscriber and the recipient, providing insight into the book or author, and subsequently enhancing the value of the book.

Translation(s)

English: Association

French: Association

German: Signiert

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Association copy

A book or pamphlet that has some indication of having belonged to the author or someone closely associated with them.

Translation(s)

English: Association copy

French: Association copy

Swedish: Associationsexemplar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (AILA)

The Asociación Ibéria de Librerias Anticuarias (AILA) was founded in Barcelona in 1990 and became an ILAB member in 1993. Gonzalo Fernandez Pontes leads the AILA and its 56 booksellers as current president. In 2008 ILAB affiliates from all over the world enjoyed interesting days during the 38th ILAB Congress and the 22nd International Antiquarian Book Fair in Madrid.

Translation(s)

English: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (AILA)

French: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (AILA)

German: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (AILA)

Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI)

120 antiquarian booksellers belong to the Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI). It was established in 1947 and joined the ILAB a year later. Current president Umberto Pregliasco organizes the 39th ILAB Congress and the 23rd International Antiquarian Book Fair in September 2010 that will certainly attract hundreds of booksellers and bibliophiles to Bologna. On an autumn day in 1947, a small group of book dealers met in Milan to give life to the Circolo dei Librai Antiquari. They were not many, but they were set on granting a cultural dignity to the trade of antiquarian bookselling, on fostering friendship and understanding with foreign colleagues, on cooperating with libraries and institutions for the conservation of cultural property, and on providing collectors with a code of ethics that guaranteed a fair and professional relationship between rare book dealers and their customers. In 1971, the members of the association had increased when the Circle became the Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia. The ALAI organizes an antiquarian book fair each fall in different Italian towns like Bologna, Milan, Turin, Venice or Florence. See www.alai.it

Translation(s)

English: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI)

French: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI)

German: Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI)

Atlas (geographical)

Translation(s)

English: Atlas (geographical)

French: Atlas (geographique)

German: Atlas

Dutch: Atlas

Danish: Atlas

Italian: Atlante geografico

Spanish: Atlas

Swedish: Kartbok, atlas

Atlas (volume of plates)

Translation(s)

English: Atlas (volume of plates)

French: Atlas (d'un ouvrage)

German: Atlasband

Dutch: Platen deel

Danish: Atlas

Italian: Atlante

Spanish: Atlas

Swedish: Atlas, planschband

Author

Translation(s)

English: Author

French: Auteur

German: Autor

Dutch: Schrijver, auteur

Danish: Forfatter

Italian: Autore

Spanish: Autor

Swedish: Författare

Authors edition

Book authorized by author, usually foreign editions, around the turn of the last century when many titles were pirated or "unauthorized".

Translation(s)

English: Authors edition

French: Edition autorisée

German: Autorisierte Ausgabe

Swedish: Auktoriserad utgåva

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Autobiography

Translation(s)

English: Autobiography

French: Autobiographie

German: Autobiographie

Dutch: Autobiographie

Danish: Selvbiografi

Italian: Autobiografia

Spanish: Autobiografía

Swedish: Självbiografi

Autography

Translation(s)

English: Autography

German: Autographie

Autopsie

Translation(s)

English: Autopsie

German: Autopsie

b/w

Black and white illustrations, photographs, etc.

Translation(s)

English: b/w

French: n/b

German: s/w

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Backstrip

The covering of the book's spine

Translation(s)

English: Backstrip

French: dos

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

BAL

Bibliography of American Literature, compiled by Jacob Blanck, a scholarly and bibliographically exhaustive work in nine volumes describing the works of many American authors, mostly concentrated on authors who were active during the 19th Century.

Translation(s)

English: BAL

French: BAL

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Baskerville type

Translation(s)

English: Baskerville type

Swedish: Baskerville

bc, bce

A book club edition. Books printed for a book club.

Translation(s)

English: bc, bce

French: bc, bce

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Best edition

Translation(s)

English: Best edition

Swedish: Bästa upplaga

Beveled edges

When the edges of the boards are noticeably tapered.

Translation(s)

English: Beveled edges

French: Beveled edges

German: Beveled edges

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bible

Translation(s)

English: Bible

German: Bibel

Swedish: Bibel

Bible paper

Translation(s)

English: Bible paper

German: Bibel(druck)papier

Bibliography

A list of works, occasionally in great detail, on a given subject or by a given author.

Translation(s)

English: Bibliography

French: Bibliographie

German: Bibliographie

Swedish: Bibliografi

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bibliomania

"Literally, a madness for books. A bibliomaniac is a book-collector with a slightly wild look in his eye", John Carter writes in his ABC for Book Collectors. You sometimes find them in reality, but often in literature, movie or psychology. Johnny Depp is a bibliomaniac in "The Ninth Gate", Allison Hoover Bartletts writes about "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much". Werner Muensterberger is a specialist in the history and psychology of bibliomania. In 1994 he wrote his famous book: "Collecting. An Unruly Passion".

Translation(s)

English: Bibliomania

French: Bibliomanie

German: Bibliomane

Swedish: Bibliomani

Bibliophile

The love of books. A lover of books is a bibliophile.

Translation(s)

English: Bibliophile

French: Bibliophile

German: Bibliophile

Dutch: Bibliophiel, boekenliefhebber

Danish: Bibliofil, bogelsker

Italian: Bibliofilo

Spanish: Bibliófilo

Swedish: Bibliofil

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Biblis

Translation(s)

English: Biblis

German: Biblis

Swedish: Biblis

Binder's Glue

The glue used by binders to attach cloth, leather, and pastedowns to the boards, and for whatever else binders need glue for. It turns up in book descriptions mostly when it has been either over applied, or has otherwise interacted with the paper to cause some sort of darkening to some component part of the book, usually the endpapers.

Translation(s)

English: Binder's Glue

French: Colle de relieur

German: Leimschattig

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Binding

The method of holding pages or sheets together; may be simply stapled or sewn, or sewn and enclosed in wrappers, but most often refers to a "hard" binding or covers. This type of binding may be covered with cloth, various leathers, or paper over boards or other more exotic materials. The binding can be done by hand or by machine as in a publisher's "trade binding".

Translation(s)

English: Binding

French: Reliure

German: Einband

Dutch: Band, boekband

Danish: Bind, bogbind

Italian: Rilegatura, legatura

Spanish: Encuadernación

Swedish: Band, bookband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Binding

Translation(s)

English: Binding

French: Reliure

German: Einband

Binding copy

A book that is worth re-binding; the book covers are in serious disrepair, but the text is fine.

Translation(s)

English: Binding copy

French: A relier

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Binding of papier boards

Translation(s)

English: Binding of papier boards

French: Cartonnage

German: Deckel aus Pappe (Einband)

Dutch: Kartonnen platten, cartonnage

Danish: Pappermerne

Italian: Piatti in cartone

Spanish: Cartoné

Swedish: Papp-pärmar

Binding with wax mosaic decoration

Translation(s)

English: Binding with wax mosaic decoration

French: Cire, reliure à la

German: Mosaikmuster

Dutch: Mozaïek-band, band met ingelegd lakwerk

Danish: Bind med voksmosaik

Italian: Legatura con decorazione a cera

Spanish: Encuadernación mosaico

Swedish: Band med mosaikinläggning

Biopredation

An attack to books by living matter, which may include insects or mildew.

Translation(s)

English: Biopredation

French: Biopredation

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Black letter

Translation(s)

English: Black letter

German: Gebrochene Schrift

Blanks

Refers to a blank page that is left intentionally in the book. It can be located at beginning of the book, at the end of a clearly marked division, and/or at the end of book. Also known as blank leaves or printer's blanks.

Translation(s)

English: Blanks

French: Feuillets blancs

German: Weißes Blatt

Swedish: Blankt blad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bleed-through

Meaning that a substance has caused a stain that shows through the paper, such as tape that has been used to repair the inside of a jacket, but which has darkened and now shows on the outside of the jacket. What does this tell us? That booksellers and collectors should have their tape dispensers confiscated.

Translation(s)

English: Bleed-through

French: Bleed through

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bleeding (print)

Translation(s)

English: Bleeding (print)

German: Durchschlagen

Bleiler

A key reference work of genre fiction: The Guide to Supernatural Fiction: A full description of 1,775 books from 1750 to 1960, including ghost stories, weird fiction, stories of supernatural horror, fantasy, Gothic novels, occult fiction, and similar literature by Everett F. Bleiler.

Translation(s)

English: Bleiler

French: Bleiler

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Blind stamp

Decoration, picture, or lettering that has been impressed into the binding with a metal stamp prepared for the purpose, resulting in a "blind" (meaning uncolored) decoration, picture or lettering. Book owners sometimes use a blindstamp with their name to mark their copies.

Translation(s)

English: Blind stamp

French: Motifs à froid

German: Blindprägung

Dutch: Blindstempeling

Danish: Blindtryk

Italian: Impressioni a secco

Spanish: Dorado en frio

Swedish: Blind tryck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Blockbook

"Blockbooks, or xylographica, as produced in Europe – usually with more illustrations than text, often hand-coloured, and mostly of a popular and/or religious character – were long supposed to have preceded the invention of printing from movable metal types (by Johann Gutenberg, c. 1440–50). In the last thirty or forty years, however, research, much of it conducted by the late Allan Stevenson, into the paper of surviving copies, has established that (despite the solitary example of the unique Apocalypse I in the Rylands Library, which he dated c. 1451) the heyday of the blockbook was in fact the 1460s, to which the early and famous examples – whether Apocalypse, Biblia Pauperum, Arts Moriendi, Cantica Canticorum or Speculum Humani Salvationis – have been proved to belong. Many others, mostly of lower price and quality, belong to the 1470s, while isolated specimens continued to appear up to c. 1500. The blockbook was essentially a picture book, the illustration and its accompanying text being cut with the knife on wood and printed on one side of the paper only. They were often, perhaps normally, impressed from two-page blocks reaching across the sheet, in a brownish or greyish water-based ink (only from c. 1470 was oil-based ink generally used, thus allowing printing on both sides of the leaf). Examples are nowadays of extreme rarity, cost a great deal of money, and will be beyond the horizon of most collectors." (Carter, ABC for Book Collectors)

Translation(s)

English: Blockbook

French: Xylographie

German: Blockbücher

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Blockson 101

Referring to a book referenced in A Commented Bibliography of One Hundred and One Influential Books By and About People of African Descent (1556-1982) A Collector's Choice by Charles L. Blockson, which like it sounds, is a listing of important and mostly uncommon books. Dr. Blockson was one of the first serious collectors and bibliographers of African-Americana and his monumental collection, which he continues to oversee, is now at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Translation(s)

English: Blockson 101

French: Blockson 101

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Blurb

A comment from a review (often by another author praising the particular book), printed on the dustjacket or covers of a proof copy or on a wrap-around band.

Translation(s)

English: Blurb

French: Blurb

German: Klappentext

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Board

The covers of a hard bound book; the boards are the stiff cardboard or paperboard which is usually covered with cloth or leather; and when covered with paper, the covers are properly referred to as "boards". Many pre-1850 books were issued by the publishers bound in boards (paper covered), allowing for an inexpensive binding which could later be replaced with leather by a hand book binder. Early (medieval) manuscript volumes were often bound between two oak boards, hence the probable origin of this term.

Translation(s)

English: Board

French: Plat

German: Einbanddecke

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bonded-leather

A cheaper leather substitute made from grinding up and "bonding" all the old leather shoes and pocket books you've thrown away, much as some fast food restaurants make bonded "roast beef" from cow lips and tails. Bonded leather can range in quality from really cheesy (and we don't mean "bonded" cheese) to reasonably attractive.

Translation(s)

English: Bonded-leather

French: Pâte de cuir

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Book

Translation(s)

English: Book

French: Livre

German: Buch

Dutch: Boek

Danish: Bog

Italian: Libro

Spanish: Libro

Swedish: Bok

Book Auctions Online

Online Database of the German Antiquarian Booksellers' Association that contains the results of European auction houses (estimates and hammer prices). Other databases are "Jahrbuch der Auktionspreise" and "American Book Prices Current" (APBC).

Translation(s)

English: Book Auctions Online

French: Book Auctions Online

German: Auktionspreise Online

Book binders signet

Translation(s)

English: Book binders signet

Swedish: Bokbindaretikett

Book club edition

A book issued, usually at a discounted price, by one of the many clubs, the best-known being the Book-of-the-Month Club (sometimes abbreviated as BOMC), which would re-publish popular books. Usually the club would economize in any number of ways including using a smaller format for the book, printing the text on cheaper paper, using cheaper boards (often covered in paper rather than cloth), printing the dustwrapper on thinner or uncoated paper stock, etc. Books club editions usually don't have a printed price on the jacket flap, and sometimes might have a small blindstamped dot, circle, or square at the bottom of the rear board. Some book clubs, in particular, the BOMC during a certain, long period of their existence tried to look exactly like the publishers' editions. In those cases, lack of a price, a blindstamped dot, or occasionally an alphanumeric code running vertically up the inner margin of the last page of the text block can be the only way(s) to identify the book club editions. Most book club editions are not collectible, but that's another topic altogether.

Translation(s)

English: Book club edition

French: Book Club Edition

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Book description

Translation(s)

English: Book description

Swedish: Kommentar

Book jacket

The paper, often with illustrations and information about the book and author, used as a protective covering over the book; usually referred to as a "dust jacket" or "dj", sometimes called a "dust wrapper". Dust jacket art work is used to promote and sell the book.

Translation(s)

English: Book jacket

French: Jaquette

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Book mark

Translation(s)

English: Book mark

French: Signet

German: Lesezeichen

Dutch: Bladwijzer

Danish: Bogmærke

Italian: Segnalibro

Spanish: Marcador de libro

Swedish: Bokmärke

Book of arms, armorial (adj.)

Translation(s)

English: Book of arms, armorial (adj.)

French: Armorial

German: Wappenbuch

Dutch: Wapenboek

Danish: Våbenbog

Italian: Armerista, stemmario

Spanish: Libro de armas, blasones

Swedish: Vapenbok

Book paper

Translation(s)

English: Book paper

German: Werkdruckpapier

Bookbinder

Translation(s)

English: Bookbinder

French: Relieur

German: Buchbinder

Dutch: Boekbinder

Danish: Bogbinder

Italian: Legatore

Spanish: Encuadernador

Swedish: Bokkbindare

Booklet

A small book, often only a few pages long and bound in wrappers.

Translation(s)

English: Booklet

French: Plaquette

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bookseller

Translation(s)

English: Bookseller

French: Libraire

German: Buchhändler

Dutch: Boekhandelaar

Danish: Boghandler

Italian: Libraio

Spanish: Librero

Swedish: Bokhandlare

Bookseller label

Also called a ticket. In days of yore (that would be, before now) new bookstores would often have a small, usually discreet label that they would affix to one of the endpapers in the new books that they were selling. In some instances they are collectible, in some instances they are a nuisance, and in any case they indicate where a certain copy of a book originally sold at retail.

Translation(s)

English: Bookseller label

French: Etiquette de libraire

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bookshop

Translation(s)

English: Bookshop

French: Librairie

German: Buchhandlung

Dutch: Boekhandel

Danish: Boghandel

Italian: Libreria

Spanish: Libreria

Swedish: Bokhandel

Bookworm

Any of a number of moth or fly larvae which tunnel through the pages of books leaving behind small channels, holes in individual leaves. Very early books often have some evidence of bookworm damage.

Translation(s)

English: Bookworm

French: Vers papyvores

German: Bücherwurm

Swedish: Bokmask

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Border

Translation(s)

English: Border

French: Bandeau

German: Zierleiste

Dutch: Sierrand, sierlijst

Danish: Ornamentlinie

Italian: Bordura

Spanish: Orla, viñeta

Swedish: Fris, överstycke, ram

Border, frame

Translation(s)

English: Border, frame

French: Cadre

German: Umrahmung

Dutch: Omlijsting, lijst

Danish: Ramme

Italian: Cornice

Spanish: Cuadro

Swedish: Bordyr, ram

Bottom edge

The bottom edge of the text block or pages of a book. The place where remainder marks are most likely to lurk.

Translation(s)

English: Bottom edge

French: Tranche inférieure ou queue

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bound

Translation(s)

English: Bound

French: Relié

German: Gebunden

Dutch: Gebonden

Danish: Indbundet

Italian: Legato

Spanish: Encuadernado

Swedish: Bunden, inbunden

Bowed

Warping to the boards of a book, ranging from very slight to a reasonable imitation of the shape of a gibbous moon. This is generally adjudged a flaw, in direct proportion to its severity, although it should be noted that some titles warp because of poor manufacturing.

Translation(s)

English: Bowed

French: Bowed

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Brad-bound

Bound using (usually brass) brads threaded through punched holes, most often seen in use to bind screenplays that have been secreted away from studios by the office boy, and sold to unscrupulous booksellers like us.

Translation(s)

English: Brad-bound

French: Brad-bound

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bradel

Translation(s)

English: Bradel

French: Bradel

German: Bradel

Braille

Translation(s)

English: Braille

German: Blindendruck

Breviary

Translation(s)

English: Breviary

French: Bréviaire

German: Brevier

Dutch: Breviarium, brevier

Danish: Breviarium

Italian: Breviario

Spanish: Breviario

Swedish: Breviarium

Bright copy

Refers to the condition of a book; a surprisingly bright or fresh copy of an older book. It is as new and clean as the day it was published.

Translation(s)

English: Bright copy

French: Exemplaire frais

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Brignano

African-Americana reference work by Russell C. Brignano, Black Americans in Autobiography: An Annotated Bibliography of Autobiographies and Autobiographical Books Written Since the Civil War. Ever wonder how we know so much about African-Americana? Having a quality reference library helps.

Translation(s)

English: Brignano

French: Brignano

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Broadfoot

A good reference book for Civil War books: Civil War Books: A Priced Checklist with Advice by Tom Broadfoot.

Translation(s)

English: Broadfoot

French: Broadfoot

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Broadsheet

A message or pamphlet printed on a single folded sheet of paper, often on both sides, unlike its step-brother the broadside.

Translation(s)

English: Broadsheet

French: Affiche

German: Einblattdruck

Swedish: Ettbladstryck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Broadside

A message or announcement printed on one side of a single sheet of paper. Because these were usually posted or hung, they tend to be ephemeral, often discarded, and subsequently uncommon.

Translation(s)

English: Broadside

French: Voir Affiche

German: Flugschriften

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

broché

Translation(s)

English: broché

French: broché

German: Broschur

Brodart

A company which makes protective clear plastic liners for book dustjackets.

Translation(s)

English: Brodart

French: Brodart

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Broken back

Translation(s)

English: Broken back

French: Dos cassé

German: Rücken gebrochen

Dutch: Rug gebroken

Danish: Ryggen itu

Italian: Dorso rotto

Spanish: Romo roto

Swedish: Bruten rygg

Browned

Translation(s)

English: Browned

French: Bruni

German: Gebräunt

Dutch: Gebruind

Danish: Brunplettet

Italian: Brunito

Spanish: Ennegrecido

Swedish: Brunläcking, brunfärgad

Browning

Either one of a pair of married English poets, or what happens to wood pulp paper when the acids start to burn through it. This usually results in the paper becoming both darker and increasingly brittle. Also referred to as yellowing.

Translation(s)

English: Browning

French: Brunissures

German: Holzfreie-, holzhaltige Papiere

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bruccoli

Matthew Bruccoli, a professor at the University of South Carolina, and the author of, or contributor to, many bibliographies. When we invoke his name, we are usually referring to his bibliography F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Descriptive Bibliography.

Translation(s)

English: Bruccoli

French: Bruccoli

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

BSA

Bibliographic Society of America

Translation(s)

English: BSA

French: BSA

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Buckram

A binding made of sturdier than usual cloth, often used in the binding or rebinding of books that will be repeatedly handled, such as library books.

Translation(s)

English: Buckram

French: Percaline

German: Buckram

Dutch: Linnen

Danish: Perkalin, bogbinderlærred

Italian: Percallina

Spanish: Percalina

Swedish: Perkalin, klot

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Bulletin

Translation(s)

English: Bulletin

French: Bulletin

German: Bericht

Dutch: Bulletin, lijst, overzicht

Danish: Bulletin, beretning, meddelelse

Italian: Bollettino

Spanish: Boletín

Swedish: Bulletin, meddelande

Bumped

Refers to the condition of a book; it refers to worn, bent, or rounded corners of the boards of a book.

Translation(s)

English: Bumped

French: Coins usés

German: Bestoßen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Burgess 99

A personal selection of ninety-nine English language novels published between 1939 and 1983, chosen with commentary by author Anthony Burgess and originally published as a book in 1984. An interesting and prolific author, Burgess is best known for A Clockwork Orange, about which he once wryly observed with studied disinterest: "It seems likely to survive, while other works of mine that I value more bite the dust."

Translation(s)

English: Burgess 99

French: Burgess 99

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Calf

Book binding leather from a calf hide or cattle hide; a commonly used material for leather binding (see also morocco, sheep, and vellum).

Translation(s)

English: Calf

French: Veau

German: Kalbleder

Dutch: Kalfsleer

Danish: Kalveskind

Italian: Vitello

Spanish: Piel de becerro, becerrillo

Swedish: Kalvskinn

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Calico

Translation(s)

English: Calico

German: Kaliko

Calligraphy

"Calligraphy has been defined by Stanley Morison (in the Encyclopaedia Britannica) as ‘freehand in which the freedom is so nicely reconciled with order that the understanding eye is pleased to contemplate it’. In our context the noun and its adjective calligraphic are used not only to denote a manuscript whose beauty of script is its principal attraction, or a manual of penmanship, or an engraved writing-book, but also any fancy penwork in a manuscript or inscription or any non-representational flourishes in an engraving." (Carter, ABC for Book Collectors)

Translation(s)

English: Calligraphy

French: Calligraphie

German: Kalligraphie

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cancel leaf

A new leaf, often the title page, to which changes have been made, which is glued onto the narrow stub left by the removed leaf which has been excised.

Translation(s)

English: Cancel leaf

French: Cancel Leaf

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Capital letter

Translation(s)

English: Capital letter

German: Majuskel

Carbon copy

A manuscript or letter that was created using carbon paper, i.e. the second (or later) copy in the typewriter, a device used by hard-drinking authors before the invention of the personal computer (if you need a ribbon for one, good luck). Carbon copies of manuscripts can be collectible if they exhibit hand corrections.

Translation(s)

English: Carbon copy

French: Copie carbonne

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Carter's ABC for Book Collectors

An excellent book collectors' glossary, by John Carter and first published in 1952. It is in fact perhaps the definitive glossary of its kind and highly recommended. You can browse the ABC for Book Collectors on the ILAB website.

Translation(s)

English: Carter's ABC for Book Collectors

French: Carter's ABC for Book Collectors

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Carton

Translation(s)

English: Carton

French: Carton

German: Karton

Swedish: Kartonnage

Cartouche

"A tablet, for inscription (e.g. the titling of maps) or ornament; originally in the form of a scroll, but sometimes used loosely (especially in descriptions of bindings) for round, oval or decorated labels." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Cartouche

French: Cartouche

German: Kartusche

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Case

The covers enclosing a book, usually made of thick cardboard, or a specially made case for a book.

Translation(s)

English: Case

French: Emboîtage

German: Kassette

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cased boards

Translation(s)

English: Cased boards

French: Carton, plats de

German: Kartonierter Einband, Pappband

Dutch: Gecartonneerd

Danish: Papbind

Italian: Cartonatura

Spanish: Encuadernación en cartón

Swedish: Pappband

Catalogues

"Book Catalogues come in as many forms as booksellers ... What every catalogue has in common - and has had since secondhand booksellers first started issuing catalogues - is that customers or would-be customers everywhere will, whatever its quality, settle on it as though their lives depended on it. For book-buyers are curious folk, curious for knowledge or for a bargain or for that desideratum that has always eluded them, or - just curious. The short-term job of the catalogue-maker is plain: to sell his or her books. The middle-term aim is not to have them sent back again; or to leave their buyers feeling resentful or robbed. A longer-term aim is to lure new customers, make friends with them, flirt with them down the years: so that of all their morning mail it is to your catalogue that they first turn, and then they won't put it down until they have finished. And the ultimate accolade is that when they have finished they don't throw the catalogue away, but put it in a quiet place to re-read occasionally, even use for reference; and once in a while, months, maybe years later you receive an apologetic telephone-call or postcard inquiring whether, by any remote chance, item 144 is still available.” (James Fergusson)

Translation(s)

English: Catalogues

French: Catalogue de libraire

German: Antiquariatskatalog

Swedish: Antikvariatkatalog

Source: Antiquarian Books. A Companion for Booksellers, Librarians and Collectors. Compiled and edited by Philippa Bernard with Leo Bernard and Angus O'Neill. Scolar Press 1993

Catch word

Translation(s)

English: Catch word

German: Kustode

Swedish: Kustod

Catchword

Translation(s)

English: Catchword

German: Stichwort

Century

Translation(s)

English: Century

French: Siècle

German: Jahrhundert

Dutch: Eeuw

Danish: Århundrede

Italian: Secolo

Spanish: Siglo

Swedish: Sekel, århundrade

Chained binding

Translation(s)

English: Chained binding

German: Kettenbuch

Chalk lithography

Translation(s)

English: Chalk lithography

German: Kreidelithographie

Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne / Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (CLAM/BBA)

The Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (CLAM) or Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (BBA) was founded in 1946 and has been an ILAB member from the beginnings in 1948. With Eric Speeckaert as current president, it numbers 40 rare book dealers from Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Haselt, Liège, Louvain, Mechlin and Namur as well as foreign associated members from France and the United States. They are specialized in buying and selling precious books, prints, autographs, ancient and modern manuscripts. All members are bound by the code of conduct of the ILAB based on a wide experience. See www.clam-bba.be

Translation(s)

English: Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne / Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (CLAM/BBA)

French: Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne / Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (CLAM/BBA)

German: Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne / Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (CLAM/BBA)

Chamois

Translation(s)

English: Chamois

German: Chamois

Chapbook

Small, inexpensive books produced from the 17th century until today, originally sold by "chapmen", peddlers, and hawkers.

Translation(s)

English: Chapbook

French: Livre de Colportage

German: Schillingdruck

Dutch: Colportage

Danish: Kolportage

Italian: Commercio ambulante di libri

Swedish: Skillingtryck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Chapter book

Fairly modern term referring to books for older children which are organized into chapters, as opposed to "picture books", which often are not.

Translation(s)

English: Chapter book

French: Chapter Book

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Chapter-heading

Translation(s)

English: Chapter-heading

French: Tête de chapitre

German: Kapitelüberschrift

Dutch: Opschrift, titel van een hoofdstuk

Danish: Kapiteloverskrift, begyndelsesvignet

Italian: Testata di capitolo

Spanish: Título de capítulo, epígrafe

Swedish: Kapitelöverskrift, begynnselsevinjett

Chemise

Either naughty underwear worn by women, or a case or folding tray into which a fragile or valuable book or manuscript is laid (as perhaps are the women in naughty underwear), usually used in conjunction with a case into which the chemise is slipped, and which the trade, with its infinite gift for invention, has cleverly determined to call a slipcase.

Translation(s)

English: Chemise

French: Chemise

German: Sammelmappe

Dutch: Omslag, stofomslag

Danish: Omslag

Italian: Camicia

Spanish: Camisa

Swedish: Omslag

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

China paper

"A very thin, soft, absorbent paper, made in China from bamboo fibre, yellowish or greyish or straw-coloured, used for proofs of engravings or wood-cuts, and occasionally also for lithographs. The proofs are usually pasted on to stouter paper. Sometimes called India Proof Paper. There are European imitations." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: China paper

French: Papier de Chine

German: Chinapapier

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Chipped

Small pieces broken off of a dust jacket or binding.

Translation(s)

English: Chipped

French: Ecorné

German: Randläsuren

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Chrestomathy

Translation(s)

English: Chrestomathy

German: Chrestomathie

Chromo

Translation(s)

English: Chromo

German: Chromo

Chromo-typography

Translation(s)

English: Chromo-typography

French: Chromotypie

German: Farbendruck

Dutch: Kleurendruk

Danish: Farvetryk

Italian: Stampa a colori

Spanish: Cromotipia

Swedish: Färgtryck

Chromolithography

Color printing from multiple impositions of lithographic stones or similar lithographic printing surfaces. A process of illustration that reached its zenith in the mid-Nineteenth century.

Translation(s)

English: Chromolithography

French: Chromolithographie

German: Chromolithographie

Dutch: Chromolithographie

Danish: Farvelitografi

Italian: Cromolitografia

Spanish: Cromo-litografía

Swedish: Färgliitografi

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Chronicle

Translation(s)

English: Chronicle

French: Chronique

German: Chronik

Dutch: Kroniek

Danish: Kronik

Italian: Cronaca

Spanish: Crónica

Swedish: Krönika

Clasp

"Clasps, like bosses and corner-pieces, were part of the protective armour of medieval (and post-medieval) bindings. A clasp, either of metal with a hinge, or with an intervening strip of leather or textile, on one board snapped into a catch on the other. Its object was to keep the book closed, relieving any strain on the joints from casual movement. In England and France the clasp was on the upper board, the catch on the lower; elsewhere in Europe the positions were reversed." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Clasp

French: Fermoirs

German: Schließe

Dutch: Slot, klamp

Danish: Spænde

Italian: Fermaglio

Spanish: Cierre

Swedish: Knäppe

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Closed tear

A tear in a dustjacket that fits closely together, in other words, doesn't look too much like a tear, as opposed to a ragged or jagged tear. Some dealers use the term to mean a tear that has been "closed" with tape - feel free to steal their tape dispensers.

Translation(s)

English: Closed tear

French: closed tear

German: Einriss

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cloth

Book binding material woven from cotton, linen, wool or synthetic fibers.

Translation(s)

English: Cloth

French: Etoffe

German: Leinen

Dutch: Linnen

Danish: Lærred, shirting

Italian: Tela

Spanish: Tela

Swedish: Klotband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Coat of arms

Translation(s)

English: Coat of arms

French: Armoiries

German: Supralibros

Dutch: Wapenschild

Danish: Våbenskjold

Italian: Stemma

Spanish: Armas

Swedish: Vapensköld

Coated

Paper is smooth and polished; something has been applied to the surface to make it appear glossy.

Translation(s)

English: Coated

French: Papier glacé

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cocked

A slant to the spine of the book, causing the book to be out of square, usually caused by either reading the book, or stacking cases of beer on it.

Translation(s)

English: Cocked

French: cocked

German: Schief gelesen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cockled

Refers to the condition of a book; the wrinkled, puckered, waving, or curling condition of a page or of the boards of a book, which is caused by non-uniform drying and shrinkage. If the cockled page is made of vellum, the condition is caused by humidity. In the case of paper or board, the condition is caused by heat and humidity. In the case of book covers, it can be caused by the use of the wrong type of adhesive or too much adhesive.

Translation(s)

English: Cockled

French: cockled

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Codex argenteus

Translation(s)

English: Codex argenteus

Swedish: Codex argenteus

Collate

To verify completeness of a book by examining it carefully (e.g.: all illustrative plates are present, no pages are missing, etc.)

Translation(s)

English: Collate

French: Collationner

German: Kollation

Swedish: Kollationering

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Collation

Used in descriptive bibliography as the term which describes the non-binding portion of the book, verifying the proper sequence and completeness of pages & their gatherings (signatures).

Translation(s)

English: Collation

French: Collation

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Collection

Translation(s)

English: Collection

French: Collection

German: Sammlung

Dutch: Verzameling, collectie

Danish: Samling

Italian: Collezione

Spanish: Collección

Swedish: Samling

Collection of books

Translation(s)

English: Collection of books

French: Bibliothèque (collection de livres)

German: Büchersammlung

Dutch: Bibliotheek

Danish: Bibliothek

Italian: Biblioteca privata

Spanish: Biblioteca, colección

Swedish: Bibliotek

Colophon

A statement occurring at the rear of a volume following the text, relating information about the printing history and physical aspects of the book; often includes name of printer, type of paper, typeface, size of edition, date of printing, etc. Early books often had a colophon instead of a title page imprint and modern private press or other examples of fine printing often use a colophon.

Translation(s)

English: Colophon

French: Colophon

German: Kolophon

Swedish: Kolofon

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Colour print

Translation(s)

English: Colour print

German: Farbstich

Coloured

Translation(s)

English: Coloured

French: Coloriage

German: Kolorit

Swedish: Handkolorerad

Coloured (frontier lines on maps)

Translation(s)

English: Coloured (frontier lines on maps)

German: Grenzkolorit

Coloured (maps)

Translation(s)

English: Coloured (maps)

German: Flächenkolorit

Coloured paper

Translation(s)

English: Coloured paper

German: Kleisterpapier

Column

Translation(s)

English: Column

French: Colonne

German: Spalte

Dutch: Kolom

Danish: Kolumne, klumme

Italian: Colonna

Spanish: Columna

Swedish: Kolumn, spalt

Column

Translation(s)

English: Column

German: Kolumne

Compartments

Ruled lines forming a square border or frame on a binding, which is done in gilt or blind. Also known as panelled.

Translation(s)

English: Compartments

French: Compartiments ou caissons

German: Fileten

Dutch: Verdeling in vierkanten of rechthoeken door lijnen

Danish: Firkant, linje-indramninger i kvadrater eller rektangler

Italian: Riquadri

Spanish: Cuadrados

Swedish: Fyrkanter

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Complete

Translation(s)

English: Complete

French: Complet

German: Vollständig

Dutch: Compleet, volledig

Danish: Komplet

Italian: Completo

Spanish: Completo

Swedish: Komplett, fullständig

Concordance

Translation(s)

English: Concordance

German: Konkordanz

Condition

Condition sometimes shown as __/__, i.e., F/F, denoting first book & then dustjacket condition.

Translation(s)

English: Condition

French: État

German: Zustand

Swedish: Skick, kondition

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Conjugate leaves

Leaves which are physically attached, part of the same sheet.

Translation(s)

English: Conjugate leaves

French: Cahier

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Consecutive numbering (of leaves)

Translation(s)

English: Consecutive numbering (of leaves)

German: Foliieren

Contemporary binding

A binding that was placed on the book at or around the time of publication. Some books were issued in paper covers, or plain cardboard boards, and the purchaser would often have a binding commissioned for it that would suit his taste or library. This was particularly common in France, where most books were published in this manner. Contemporary can mean original, but usually indicates some doubt as to that fact in the mind of the scrupulous seller (as opposed to "original boards," where the seller is confident). Contemporary, as used here, doesn’t mean "modern" or contemporary to you, unless you were around when the book was published.

Translation(s)

English: Contemporary binding

French: Reliure d'époque, contemporain

German: Zeitgenössisch

Dutch: Gelijktijdig, uit de tijd

Danish: Samtidig

Italian: Contemporaneo, coevo

Spanish: Contemporáneo, coetáneo

Swedish: Samtida band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Contents

Translation(s)

English: Contents

French: Contenu

German: Inhalt

Dutch: Inhoud

Danish: Indhold

Italian: Contenuto

Spanish: Contenido

Swedish: Innehåll

Copper print

Translation(s)

English: Copper print

German: Chalkographie

Copperplate

Illustrations produced when the original printing plate was engraved on copper; this method was introduced before the end of the 15th century. They replaced the woodcut, which reappeared later on.

Translation(s)

English: Copperplate

French: Gravure sur cuivre

German: Kupferstich

Dutch: Kopergravure

Danish: Kobberstik

Italian: Incisione in rame

Spanish: Grabado en cobre

Swedish: Kopparstick

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Copy

Translation(s)

English: Copy

French: Exemplaire

German: Exemplar

Dutch: Exemplaar

Danish: Eksemplar

Italian: Esemplare, copia

Spanish: Ejemplar

Swedish: Exemplar

Copy

Translation(s)

English: Copy

French: Tirage

German: Abzug

Copy in sheets

Translation(s)

English: Copy in sheets

French: Exemplaire en feuilles

German: Exemplar in losen Bogen

Dutch: Exemplaar in losse vellen

Danish: Eksemplar i materi

Italian: Esemplare a fogli sciolti

Spanish: Ejemplar en rama

Swedish: Exemplar i lösa ark

Copyright page

The page that appears on verso of the title page, containing the artistic property protection.

Translation(s)

English: Copyright page

French: Page de dépôt légal

German: Impressum

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Corner

Translation(s)

English: Corner

French: Coin

German: Ecke

Dutch: Hoek, hoekstuk versterkte hoeken

Danish: Hjorne

Italian: Angolo

Spanish: Puntas

Swedish: Hörn

Corners

You know, corners – the pointy things that stick out at the edges of the book. Like all things that stick out, they are the most likely to get bumped or worn.

Translation(s)

English: Corners

French: Coins

German: Ecken

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Corrigenda

Translation(s)

English: Corrigenda

German: Corrigenda

Cover, wrapper

Translation(s)

English: Cover, wrapper

French: Couverture

German: Buchdecke

Dutch: Omslag, band

Danish: Omslag

Italian: Copertina

Spanish: Cubierta

Swedish: Omslag

Cracked

Refers to the condition of a book; there is a long narrow opening or break down the spine or in the cover

Translation(s)

English: Cracked

French: Fendu

German: Geplatzt

Dutch: Gespleten

Danish: Revnet, splittet

Italian: Screpolato, con fenditure

Spanish: Raja, quebradura

Swedish: Kluven, sprucken

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Crayon manner

Translation(s)

English: Crayon manner

German: Crayonmanier

Crease

A permanent bend to a page or dustjacket. In days of yore some collectors would remove the jacket from the book, fold it neatly in two, and store it somewhere safe.

Translation(s)

English: Crease

French: Pliure

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Creased

Translation(s)

English: Creased

German: Quetschfalten

Crimped

Refers to the condition of a book; a grooved, indented, or pinched condition of a cover or page, which is caused by extreme humidity. It can also describe a bookmaking process that bends the hinges of loose-leaf books so that the pages of a book will easily turnover and lie flat.

Translation(s)

English: Crimped

French: crimped

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cropped

The margins of the book have been trimmed by the binder, usually too close to the text or into the text.

Translation(s)

English: Cropped

French: Court de marge

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Crown

The very top edge of the spine, of either the book or the jacket. Since most people tug books off shelves from the crown, this area is very prone to wear. The recommended way to remove a book from a shelf is to push in the volumes on either side of the book you want, grasp the book around the spine with your fingers and thumb on the opposite boards, and pull.

Translation(s)

English: Crown

French: Coiffe

German: Kapital

Dutch: Ruginslag, leerkapitaal

Danish: (Læeder) kapitæl

Italian: Cuffia

Spanish: Cabezada

Swedish: Kapitäl

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cuir de Russie

Translation(s)

English: Cuir de Russie

French: Cuir de Russie

German: Juchtenleder

Culacino

A drink-ring or circular stain left when a book is used as a coaster for a drinking glass. A handy Italian term which has no one-word English equivalent (and, from the perspective of book people, one of the most useful terms to be found in Howard Rheingold's entertaining book They Have a Word for It: A Lighthearted Lexicon of Untranslatable Words and Phrases).

Translation(s)

English: Culacino

French: Culacino

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cut

An illustration that is printed on a text page

Translation(s)

English: Cut

French: Figure in texte

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Cut edges

The most common type of book edges, trimmed even with a large binders knife prior to finishing the binding process (see also uncut, unopened, and deckle edges).

Translation(s)

English: Cut edges

French: Rogné

German: Beschneiden

Dutch: Afgesneden

Danish: Beskåret (snit)

Italian: Rifilato

Spanish: Cortado

Swedish: Skuren

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Damaged

Translation(s)

English: Damaged

French: Abîmé

German: Lädiert

Dutch: Beschadigd

Danish: Beskadiget

Italian: Sciupato, danneggiato

Spanish: Deteriorado (a)

Swedish: Skadad, trasig

Dampstaining

A stain caused by the presence of water.

Translation(s)

English: Dampstaining

French: Mouillure

German: Wasserfleckig

Dutch: Vochtvlek, watervlek

Danish: Fugtplet, vandskjold

Italian: Macchia d'acqua, d'umido, gora

Spanish: Mancha de humedad

Swedish: Vattenfläck, fuktflacck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Darkening

When something is darker than it started out, usually caused by soiling, smoke, dirt, sunspots, or improper medication.

Translation(s)

English: Darkening

French: Voir brunissures

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Deckled edge

Natural or sometimes artificial rough edge of page, left uncut (see also cut edges, uncut, and unopened).

Translation(s)

English: Deckled edge

French: Decled edge

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Decorated

Translation(s)

English: Decorated

French: Orné

German: Verziert

Dutch: Versierd

Danish: Dekoreret

Italian: Ornato

Spanish: Decorado

Swedish: Ornerad, dekorerad, prydd

Decorated back, gilt back

Translation(s)

English: Decorated back, gilt back

French: Dos orné

German: Verzierter Rücken

Dutch: Vergulde rug

Danish: Dekoreret ryg

Italian: Dorso ornato

Spanish: Lomo decorado

Swedish: Dedorerad rygg

Dedication copy

A copy of a book inscribed by the author to the person to whom the book is dedicated.

Translation(s)

English: Dedication copy

French: Dédicace

German: Dedikation

Dutch: Opdracht

Danish: Dedikation, tilegnelse

Italian: Dedica

Spanish: Dedicatoria, dedicacion

Swedish: Dedidation, tillägnan

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Definite edition

Translation(s)

English: Definite edition

German: Ausgabe letzter Hand

Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening (ABF)

The Danish Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association or Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening (ABF) is the oldest league of antiquarian booksellers in Scandinavia as well as one of the oldest of its kind in the world, except the ABA (founded 1906) and the SLAM (established 1914). It was established in 1920, and 27 years later, E. Grønholt Pedersen was one of the founders of the ILAB, which was formally incorporated on the occasion of the 1st ILAB Congress in Copenhagen in 1948. Poul Jan Poulsen has been the League's Treasurer since 1991. Today, 31 Danish dealers represent the ABF with Maria Girsel as President. The aim of the association is to attain an antiquarian book trade of high quality, high professional standards, to improve professional and technical knowledge, to represent the dealers in their contacts with the government, and to support the legitimate interests of its members. ABF membership is a guarantee for quality: Dealing with a member of the association assures the customers that they will be treated correctly and professionally. The booksellers are skilled, with a good and thorough knowledge of books and prices. The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Associations of Denmark Sweden, and Norway have established an internet database for all Scandinavian ILAB affiliates: www.antikvariat.net. Initiated in October 1998, it has 97 participants and more than 1.572.000 titles. A Scandinavian Antiquarian Book Fair is held either in Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo. See www.antikvar.dk

Translation(s)

English: Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening (ABF)

French: Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening (ABF)

German: Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening (ABF)

Dutch: ABF

Danish: ABF

Italian: ABF

Spanish: ABF

Swedish: ABF

Dentelle

"A binder’s term (from the Frenchlace) meaning a border with a lacy pattern on the inner edge, usually gilt. Dentelle decoration was used, especially in France and in the 18th century, on the outside of the covers; since then, apart from the elegant late 19th-century pastiches of the style, it has been more often used, in a somewhat emasculated form, on the inside – usually described as inside dentelles." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Dentelle

French: Dentelle

German: Dentelle

Dutch: Verguld randwerk, dentelle

Danish: Kniplingsmønster

Italian: Merletto

Spanish: Decorado en forma de encaje

Swedish: Dentelle

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Desiderata

A listing of books desired

Translation(s)

English: Desiderata

French: Desiderata

German: Desideratum, Desiderat

Swedish: Desiderata

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Device

Sometimes called the colophon (which is confusing since this term has an alternate meaning). Referring to the publisher's logo used on the copyright page, especially when it is used to denote a first edition, as it occasionally did for some publishers in the 20th Century (Farrar and Rinehart, Charles Scribner's Sons, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and others).

Translation(s)

English: Device

French: Marque d'imprimeur

German: Signet

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Diacritical mark

Translation(s)

English: Diacritical mark

German: Diakritische Zeichen

Diazotype

Translation(s)

English: Diazotype

German: Diazotypie

Dictionary of American Biography (DAB)

Dictionary of American Biography, a useful 20 volume reference, especially when collecting manuscripts and autographs and attempting to learn about the authors.

Translation(s)

English: Dictionary of American Biography (DAB)

French: Dictionary of American Biography (DAB)

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Dictionary of National Biography (DNB)

The Dictionary of National Biography, a standard reference of notable figures in British history, originally published in 1885.

Translation(s)

English: Dictionary of National Biography (DNB)

French: Dictionary of National Biography (DNB)

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Die cut

A mechanical process for cutting shapes out of paper, allowing publishers to put "windows" into their jackets.

Translation(s)

English: Die cut

French: Die cut

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Dimple

An indentation, such as on a golf ball, on covers or pages.

Translation(s)

English: Dimple

French: Dimple

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ding

A small bump or dent leaving an impression, sometimes caused by careless handling or storage.

Translation(s)

English: Ding

French: Ding

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Disbound

Descriptive term for a book or pamphlet or ephemera which has been removed from its binding.

Translation(s)

English: Disbound

French: Dérelié

German: Einband fehlt, ohne Einband, ausgebunden

Dutch: Zonder band, band ontbreekt

Danish: Uden bind

Italian: Slegato, privo di legatura

Spanish: Sin la tapas, desencuadernado

Swedish: Uttaget ur band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Doctered

A book that has been repaired, restored, or even added to. Also known as made-up.

Translation(s)

English: Doctered

French: Doctored

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Dog-eared

Worn or ragged, usually referring to the edges of pages and binding. Corners of pages turned down like a dog's ear.

Translation(s)

English: Dog-eared

French: Pages écornées

German: Eselsohren

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Dotted print

Translation(s)

English: Dotted print

German: Schrotschnitt

Double page title

Translation(s)

English: Double page title

German: Doppeltitel

Doublure

"A binder's term, meaning that the paste-down (or inside lining of the covers) is not of paper but of leather, usually decorated. Since doublures have always been much commoner in French bindings than in English, there is no English word for them." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Doublure

French: Doublure

German: Doublure

Dutch: Doublure, binnenspiegel

Danish: Doublure, opklæbede forsats

Italian: Contropiatto

Spanish: Contratapa

Swedish: Foder, pärmfoder

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Drawing

Translation(s)

English: Drawing

French: Dessin

German: Zeichnung

Dutch: Tekening

Danish: Tegniing

Italian: Disegno

Spanish: Dibujo

Swedish: Teckning

Drypoint

Translation(s)

English: Drypoint

German: Kaltnadelradierung

Dummy

Translation(s)

English: Dummy

German: Musterband

Duodecimo

Often abbreviated as 12mo. This doesn't mean "a dozen more," but in the book world describes a small book (a little smaller than a mass market paperback), whose printed paper sheets were folded in such a fashion as to make twelve leaves (24 little pages) from one large sheet. And yes, it is sometimes pronounced "twelve-mo."

Translation(s)

English: Duodecimo

French: in 12

German: Duodez

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Duotone

Translation(s)

English: Duotone

German: Doppeltondruck, Duoton

Duplex

Translation(s)

English: Duplex

German: Duplex

Duplicate

Translation(s)

English: Duplicate

German: Dubletten

Dust jacket

The paper, often with illustrations and information about the book, used as a protective covering over the book; sometimes called a book jacket -dj- or a dust wrapper - dw. Collectors of literary first editions usually insist on having a fine copy of the original dust jacket with the book.

Translation(s)

English: Dust jacket

French: Jaquette

German: Schutzumschlag

Dutch: Boekomslag, stofomslag

Danish: Beskyttelsesomslag

Italian: Sovracoperta

Spanish: Sobrecubierta

Swedish: Skyddsomslag

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ecrasé (leather)

Translation(s)

English: Ecrasé (leather)

German: Ecraséleder

Edfiying literature

Translation(s)

English: Edfiying literature

German: Erbauungsbuch

Edges

"Unless specifically qualified (e.g. gilt tops), this refers to the three outer edges of the leaves (top, fore-edge and tail), which may be uncut (or cut), trimmed, gilt, gauffred, sprinkled, stained (usually red or yellow: in Irish books of the second half of the 18th century sometimes green or blue), marbled or (rarely – a French style) gilt on the rough. It may also be properly applied to the edges of the boards, when these are decorated with a fillet or roll, commonly from the 16th to the 19th century, even when (as in the 18th) the boards themselves are undecorated." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Edges

French: Tranches

German: Schnitt

Dutch: Snede

Danish: Snit

Italian: Taglio

Spanish: Corte

Swedish: Snitt

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Editio princeps

"Latin for first edition. Purists restrict the use of the term to the first printed edition of a work which was in circulation in manuscript before printing was invented. It is common usage for any first edition of a classical author. There is old and respectable precedent for its use in a wider sense, simply as a synonym for first edition; but this is apt to sound a trifle affected today." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Editio princeps

French: Edition princeps

German: Editio princeps

Swedish: Editio princeps

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Edition

"Strictly speaking, an edition comprises all copies of a book printed at any time or times from one setting-up of type without substantial change (including copies printed from stereotype, electrotype or similar plates made from that setting of type); while an impression or printing comprises the whole number of copies of that edition printed at one time, i.e. without the type or plates being removed from the press.In most books before 1750 the two terms in effect mean the same thing, for the printer normally distributed his type as soon as possible after it had been printed from; and if more copies were wanted he reset it, thus creating a new edition. For in the printing houses of those days labour was cheap, type metal expensive and printing presses few. Moreover, from 1586 the legal limit of the number of impressions to be taken from one setting of type required the text to be set twice contemporaneously, a phenomenon insufficiently noticed. In the third quarter of the 18th century, however, London printers began to reprint best-sellers from standing type, usually several impressions in quick succession; and indeed at all periods new impressions have often been described in imprints and advertisements as new editions. With the increase of mechanisation in the nineteenth century practice moved steadily towards the modern system, whereby type or plates are kept ‘standing’ (as the phrase is) in case reprints are called for; and the edition, in its strict sense, might therefore be subdivided into a number of different impressions, which might or might not be adequately differentiated. Thus a ‘tenth impression’ printed from the same type-setting five years after the first, would still be part of the first edition – and so, for the matter of that, as Professor Bowers and other pundits have warned us, would a photolithographic or xerographic off-set impression printed five hundred years after the first. This presents the first edition collector with a prospect of the most frightful anomalies – in theory. And sometimes, it is true, the difficulties are real ones both to him and still more to the bibliographer. But the majority of these are solved in advance, for all but pedants, by the sensible convention that first edition, unless qualified in some way, shall be deemed to mean first impression of the first edition. This has been taken for granted for so many years that it hardly needs saying. And the term impression, in the sense here discussed (see impression for others), seldom needs to be used at all by the ordinary cataloguer." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Edition

French: Édition

German: Ausgabe

Dutch: Uitgave, druk

Danish: Udgave

Italian: Edizione

Spanish: Edición

Swedish: Upplaga edition

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Edition de luxe

An edition of a book that has been specially printed and bound for its fine appearance. Sometimes refers to limited editions with special leather or decorated cloth bindings.

Translation(s)

English: Edition de luxe

French: Edition de luxe

German: Vorzugsausgabe

Swedish: Bibliofilupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Effaced, erased

Translation(s)

English: Effaced, erased

French: Effacé

German: Ausradiert

Dutch: Doorgestreept, weggeschrapt

Danish: Udlettet, bortraderet

Italian: Cancellato

Spanish: Borrado

Swedish: Utstruken, bortraderad

Elephant's skin

Translation(s)

English: Elephant's skin

German: Elefantenhaut

Else

"Other than," for instance "else fine" after noting some flaws. One distinguished bookseller claims that citing flaws and then calling a book "else fine" is akin to calling a girl pretty, "except for her face." But in the real world a book can have some flaws and still be a fine copy if the flaws are mentioned and are so minor as to not knock the condition down a peg.

Translation(s)

English: Else

French: Sinon

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Elzevier

Translation(s)

English: Elzevier

French: Elzevier

German: Elzevier

Swedish: Elsevier

Emblemata

Translation(s)

English: Emblemata

German: Emblemata

Embossed

Embossed ought to mean getting a promotion at work, but it doesn't. It's a raised decoration on a binding or paper made by stamping the design into the material.

Translation(s)

English: Embossed

French: Gaufrage ou estampage

German: Prägedruck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Embossed leather

A leather which has been printed with a raised design.

Translation(s)

English: Embossed leather

French: Cuir estampé

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Encyclopaedia

Translation(s)

English: Encyclopaedia

Swedish: Konversationslexikon

End paper

Paper, often of coated stock or marbled paper or otherwise "fancy" paper, with one half pasted to the cover; used primarily to give a finished appearance to the binding.

Translation(s)

English: End paper

French: Gardes

German: Vorsatz

Dutch: Blad van het voorwerk

Danish: Begyndelsesark

Italian: Foglio preliminare

Spanish: Hoja preliminar

Swedish: Eftersättsblad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Envoi

An envoi is a short stanza at the end of a poem used either to address an imagined or actual person or to comment on the preceding body of the poem.

Translation(s)

English: Envoi

French: Envoi

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ephemera

Those bits of throwaway paper of every day life (e.g.: advertising, ticket stubs, programs, some booklets and pamphlets, etc.)

Translation(s)

English: Ephemera

French: Vieux Papiers

German: Ephemera

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Erosion

Loss to paper or cloth caused by any number of reasons, but usually some instance of slow and steady wear, as opposed to a more violent species of damage like chipping or tearing. Erosion usually happens to books before they come into the hands of dealers and collectors, who presumably know how to care for them.

Translation(s)

English: Erosion

French: Erosion

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Erotica

Translation(s)

English: Erotica

French: Curiosa

Errata

Translation(s)

English: Errata

German: Druckfehlerverzeichnis

Errate slip

A usually small piece of paper either laid into, or affixed into the text that indicates errors in the printed text, and the intended corrections, in order that the reader won't call up the author or publisher and say, "I found a mistake in your book!" Its presence or lack thereof in a book may constitute a "point of issue." The errata slip is vital to Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book – not only is it a necessary component of the first edition, but more importantly it's essential for a properly mixed Bacardi Cocktail.

Translation(s)

English: Errate slip

French: Feuillet d'errata

German: Errata

Swedish: Errata, erratablad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Etching

Translation(s)

English: Etching

French: Eau-forte

German: Radierung

Dutch: Ets

Danish: Radering

Italian: Acquaforte

Spanish: Aguafuerte

Swedish: Etsning

Evangeliary

Translation(s)

English: Evangeliary

German: Evangeliar

Swedish: Evangeliebok

Ex-dono

Translation(s)

English: Ex-dono

French: Ex-dono

Ex-library

Legitimately removed (discarded/deaccessioned) from an institutional library, such as a public library, university library, historical society, etc. Often has catalog numbers inked or painted on the spine, library bookplates, embossed or rubber-stamped identification on the title page and plates, library card pockets and often shows considerable wear and/or rebinding in a plain buckram. Referred to as "ex-lib" and of considerably lower monetary value than the respective book which has never been the property of an institutional library.

Translation(s)

English: Ex-library

French: Exemplaire cédé par une institution

German: Bibliotheksexemplar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Exlibris

A label usually made of paper or leather that is affixed to the front pastedown to denote ownership by an individual or a library. These can range from tasteful and elegantly designed, occasionally by well-known artists, to mass-market examples that employ a picture of a hobbit, mushroom, or a kitty cat - guess which ones we like best? Leather bookplates look better, until the acid that they are loaded with begins to stain the facing pages.

Translation(s)

English: Exlibris

French: Ex-libris

German: Exlibris

Dutch: Ex-libris

Danish: Exlibris

Italian: Ex libris

Spanish: Ex-libris

Swedish: Exlibris

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Explicit

Translation(s)

English: Explicit

German: Explizit

Extra-illustrated

Usually a volume made into a unique copy with additional illustrations, autographs, or manuscripts added by carefully gluing or tipping-in this extra material.

Translation(s)

English: Extra-illustrated

French: Extra-illustrated

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Extract

Translation(s)

English: Extract

German: Auszug

Swedish: Extrakt

Facing page

The page opposite the page being referred to.

Translation(s)

English: Facing page

French: Page en vis-à-vis

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Facsimile

A reproduction of a book. Many facsimiles have some designation on them to distinguish them from the book they are replicating.

Translation(s)

English: Facsimile

French: Fac-simile

German: Faksimile

Swedish: Faksimilupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Faded, soiled

Translation(s)

English: Faded, soiled

French: Défraîchi

German: Unfrisch

Dutch: Onfris, verschoten

Danish: Slidt, ufriskt

Italian: Scolorito, stanco

Spanish: Fatigado, usado

Swedish: Nött

Fading

<p>Refers to the condition of a book; describes the loss of color on the pages, dust jacket, or the cover of the book, which is usually caused by time or exposure to sunlight.</p>

Translation(s)

English: Fading

French: Passé

German: Verblasst

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

False band

A fake raised band that is attached directly to the spine of the book or the hollow of the cover. This decorative element is designed to make the book look sturdier than it actually is.

Translation(s)

English: False band

French: False band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

False bands

Translation(s)

English: False bands

French: Faux nerfs

German: Falsche Bünde

Dutch: Valse ribben

Danish: Uægte, ophøjede bind

Italian: False nervature

Spanish: Nervios falsos

Swedish: Falska puuhöjda bind

Faulty paper

Translation(s)

English: Faulty paper

German: Papierfehler

Faux-titre

Translation(s)

English: Faux-titre

French: Faux-titre

German: Vortitel

Fawn-coloured

Translation(s)

English: Fawn-coloured

French: Fauve

German: Rötlich

Dutch: Vaalrood, rossig

Danish: Rødlig

Italian: Fulvo

Spanish: Leonado

Swedish: Rödaktig, gulbrun

Figured Cloth

A cloth binding decorated with an embossed pattern.

Translation(s)

English: Figured Cloth

French: Peraline historiée

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Fillet

"The fillet is a binder’s tool: a revolving wheel with one or more raised strips on its circumference for impressing a line or parallel lines on the leather or other binding material. In the description of books the term is commonly used to mean the line or lines produced by the tool. It is seldom if ever used except of leather binding. Since about 1700 filleting has generally been gilded. A French fillet is a triple fillet, always in gold." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Fillet

French: Filet

German: Filete

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Fine binding

An elaborately designed book; for example, a book that is bound in leather with blind stamps and gilt edges.

Translation(s)

English: Fine binding

French: Belle reliure

German: Künstlereinband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

First appearances

This term can refer to several different concepts:· The first time a specific subject is treated in book form, i.e. the first American book on the subject of dry fly fishing was written by Emlyn Gill and published in 1913.

Translation(s)

English: First appearances

French: First appearances

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

First books

The first book appearance by an author (usually refers to a book entirely by the author, not merely a first appearance of a poem or short story in an anthology). Frequently an established, well known author's first book is not widely known; i.e. James Fenimore Cooper's "Precaution".

Translation(s)

English: First books

French: First books

German: Erstlingswerke

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

First edition

All of the copies printed from the first setting of type; can include multiple printings if all are from the same setting of type. Every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions. A later edition would have substantial changes in the printing plates or type such as the addition of a new preface or new chapter or major changes throughout the text and often is printed from a complete resetting of the type. When book collectors use the term first edition, they are usually referring to the first printing and if there are different states or issues, the earliest of those.

Translation(s)

English: First edition

French: Première édition, édition originale

German: Erstausgabe

Dutch: Oorsprondelijke uitgave, eerste uitgave

Danish: Orginaludgave

Italian: Edizione originale, prima edizione

Spanish: Edición original

Swedish: Förstaupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

First thus

Not a first edition, but something new, revised, having a new introduction by the author or someone else, but the first publication in its new form or by a new publisher.

Translation(s)

English: First thus

French: First thus

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Fleuron

"A printer’s typographical ornament, originally flower-shaped, cast as a single piece, but often designed to be used in multiple units." (John Carter). Fleurons are typical for the Rococo period. Sometimes the flower ornaments on bindings are also called "fleurons".

Translation(s)

English: Fleuron

French: Fleuron

German: Fleuron

Dutch: Bloemornament

Danish: Blomsterornament

Italian: Decorazione floreale, fiorone

Spanish: Florón

Swedish: Vinjett, liten dekoration

Flexible binding

Limp, leather/plastic covers which are flexible.

Translation(s)

English: Flexible binding

French: Reliure souple

German: Flexibler Einband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Folding

Translation(s)

English: Folding

French: Dépliant

German: Gefaltet

Dutch: Uitslaand

Danish: Sammenfoldelig

Italian: Ripiegato

Spanish: Desplegable

Swedish: Hopviken

Folding plates

Plate, map, or chart that is too big to fit into a book, so it has been carefully folded to fit neatly into the book. Be just as careful when you unfold it, or you may end up with twice the number of plates as you started out with.

Translation(s)

English: Folding plates

French: Planches dépliantes

German: Falttafel

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Foliation

"Foliation is the numbering of leaves (see leaf), as opposed to pagination, which is the numbering of pages. It is rare in books printed before 1475, when the majority bore no consecutive numeration at all; or after 1600, by which time it had generally given place to pagination." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Foliation

French: Foliation

German: Folio

Swedish: Foliant

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Follow the flag

Preferring the edition published in the nation of the author's birth. You couldn't find a more classic American novel than Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but it was actually first published in England. However, many collectors prefer to "follow the flag," and the American edition is more desirable.

Translation(s)

English: Follow the flag

French: Follow the flag

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Foot

But you probably want to know what the foot of a book is. The very bottom of the spine of either the book or the dustjacket.

Translation(s)

English: Foot

French: Pied

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Foot of page

Translation(s)

English: Foot of page

French: Bas de page

German: Unterer Rand des Blattes

Dutch: Voet van de bladzijde

Danish: Nederste del af siden

Italian: Pié di pagina, in calce

Spanish: Pie de página

Swedish: Sidans nederdel

Fore edge painting

A painting on gilded fore edge, which can only be seen by fanning pages. Popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, and occasionally still being done today.

Translation(s)

English: Fore edge painting

French: Peinture sur tranches

German: Fore-edge-painting

Swedish: Fore edge painting

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Foreword

Translation(s)

English: Foreword

French: Avant-propos

German: Vorwort,

Dutch: Voorwoord, voorrede

Danish: Forord

Italian: Prefazione

Spanish: Prefacio, prólogo

Swedish: Förord

Format

"This term (nowadays pronounced to rhyme with doormat) is defined by SOED as ‘the shape and size of a book’. In bibliographical contexts it is used to indicate the structure of a volume in terms of the number of times the original printed sheet has been folded to form its constituent leaves: modified when necessary by the subsequent make-up. Thus in a folio each sheet has been folded once, in a quarto twice, in an octavo three times; the size being thus respectively a half, a quarter and an eighth that of the original sheet. If the folded sheets have been gathered straightforwardly for sewing, then format will be indicated by a single term, e.g. quarto: if otherwise, the format of the completed volume will be expressed as, e.g. quarto in eights. (See gathering.) The methods of folding in books of the smaller sizes (especially 12mo and 24mo) have often varied and the bibliographical results are sufficiently complicated to drive most amateurs to mockerrow or gaskell, who elucidate most of them. But though the sizes of sheets vary substantially, thus producing subdivisions in the size of books, a terminology based on the method of folding has been found satisfactory for all but eccentrically shaped volumes. The principal formats, with their common abbreviations, are: Folio (Fo., of late years sometimes 2º). Quarto (Qto, 4to, 4º). Octavo (Oct., 8vo, 8º). Duodecimo (12mo, 12º, sometimes pronounced twelvemo). Sextodecimo (16mo, usually pronounced sixteenmo). Vicesimo-quarto (24mo, pronounced twentyfourmo) Tricesimo-secundo (32mo, pronounced thirtytwomo). It is the technical terms of the paper trade which provide the names – some, ‘median’ or ‘royal’, going back to the Middle Ages, others, such as pott and elephant deriving from water-marks as ancient – for the sub-categories of size. Most booksellers’ catalogues nowadays dispense with a terminology now unfamiliar to, and unnecessarily technical for, the majority of their readers. These know – or should know – that, from the early 17th century at least, a folio is a large upright-shaped volume and an octavo a small upright-shaped volume, while a quarto (between them in size) is essentially squarish in shape, the former generally with vertical chain lines, the latter with horizontal, although the use of double-size paper can reverse these effects. And where special precision is necessary – to distinguish between different issues or variants, or to establish a large paper copy – this is commonly effected by giving the measurements of the leaf (but see paper). Large folio, small folio, large quarto, small quarto are terms in constant use. But even the four traditional subdivisions of format – (downwards) royal, demy, crown, foolscap – are in practice almost never used for anything but 4to and 8vo. Foolscap is sometimes abbreviated to f ’cap. Demy is accented as in defy." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Format

French: Format

German: Format

Swedish: Ark, arksignatur

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Forum Antikvarov Bukinistov (FAB)

“This is a real integration of what has been interrupted for a very long time”, said ABAC President Eric Waschke at the Presidents’ Meeting in Vienna 2009, when the Forum Antikvarov Bukunistov (Russia) (FAB) was unanimously elected as the 22nd member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. FAB is a young national association, founded in 2009 with six ILAB booksellers and Alexey Lukashin as its first President.

Translation(s)

English: Forum Antikvarov Bukinistov (FAB)

French: Forum Antikvarov Bukinistov (FAB)

German: Forum Antikvarov Bukinistov (FAB)

Foxed

Translation(s)

English: Foxed

French: Piqué (de rouille)

German: Rostfleckig

Dutch: Roestvlekkig, weervlekkig

Danish: Rustplettet

Italian: Fiorito

Spanish: Puntos de óxido

Swedish: Rostfäckad

Foxing

Spotting on a book, usually brown spots found on paper, of varying severity, caused by a chemical action wherein impurities in the paper oxidize. This is often exacerbated by an excessively humid climate, but the "cause" is the composition of the paper itself, and some books are simply more prone to foxing than others.

Translation(s)

English: Foxing

French: Rousseurs

German: Stockflecken

Dutch: Roestvlekken, weervlekken

Danish: Fugtpletter

Italian: Arrossature, rifioriture

Spanish: Puntos de oxido

Swedish: Lagerfläckad, brunfläckad, "foxed"

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Fraying

Refers to the condition of a book; the unraveling of the threads or fibers of an edge of a book cover that is caused by excessive rubbing

Translation(s)

English: Fraying

French: Fraying

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Free endpaper

Front and rear blank pages added by the binder.

Translation(s)

English: Free endpaper

French: Feuillet de garde

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

French

Excellent and pretty exhaustive guide to African-Americana poetry: Afro-American Poetry and Drama, 1760-1975: A Guide to Information Sources by William P. French, Michel J. Fabre, Amritjit Singh, and Geneviève E. Fabre.

Translation(s)

English: French

French: French

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

French-folded

Referring to a dustjacket, or the wrappers of a softbound book that have been folded over on all edges.

Translation(s)

English: French-folded

French: Fench-folded

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

From English sheets

When the pages used for the American edition of a book that was originally published in England, were imported from England – in effect slapping a new title page and a new binding, with the American publisher's name on it, on the printed pages from the English edition. The sheets of Alice in Wonderland, after being rejected as inferior by Lewis Carroll, were shipped to America, and when thus fitted out, they became the first American edition "from English sheets.

Translation(s)

English: From English sheets

French: From English shets

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Front fly

The first moveable leaf of paper in a book, often blank, which is usually attached to the front pastedown. Also called the front free endpaper, the fly leaf, or the fly.

Translation(s)

English: Front fly

French: Front leaf

German: Fliegendes Blatt

Swedish: Försättsblad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Frontispiece

An illustration or plate inserted immediately in front of the title page, with the illustration facing the title page, often abbreviated as frontis.

Translation(s)

English: Frontispiece

French: Frontispice

German: Frontispiz

Dutch: Frontispiece

Danish: Fontispice

Italian: Frontispizio, antiporta

Spanish: Frontispicio

Swedish: Frontespis

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Full binding

Volume is entirely encased in leather (calf, sheep, morocco, etc.)

Translation(s)

English: Full binding

French: Reliure pleine

German: Ganzleder, Ganzleinen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Full page

Translation(s)

English: Full page

French: Pleine page

German: Ganzsseitige Abbildung

Dutch: Ter groote van de gehele pagina

Danish: Helsides (illustration)

Italian: A piena pagina

Spanish: Página entera

Swedish: Helsides(-illustration)

Gabler

Refers to the standard reference book about wine books printed in the English language, Wine Into Words: A History and Bibliography of Wine Books in the English Language by James M. Gabler. Originally published in 1985, it was reissued in a greatly enlarged version in 2004, and with the numbering system used to identify the books changed. Thus if someone quotes a Gabler number at you, you'd better find out what edition they used to determine what book they are referring to.

Translation(s)

English: Gabler

French: Gabler

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Galley Proof

(Author's Proof). Copies of the book (usually in an inexpensive binding) intended for the author, editors, and proof readers to correct.

Translation(s)

English: Galley Proof

German: Fahne, Fahnenabzug

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Galuchat

Translation(s)

English: Galuchat

French: Galuchat

Gathering

A folded printed sheet of leaves prior to binding; referred to as a signature after binding.

Translation(s)

English: Gathering

French: Cahier

German: Lage

Dutch: Katern

Danish: Ark

Italian: Quaderno, fascicolo

Spanish: Cuaderno

Swedish: Lägg

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Gauffered edges

A pattern tooled on gilt edges of book.

Translation(s)

English: Gauffered edges

French: Tranches ciselées

German: ziselierter Schnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Gilded

Translation(s)

English: Gilded

German: Gold gehöht

Gilt

As in "original cloth gilt" – gold decoration or lettering applied to a binding or page edge. Gilding the top edge was desired not only because it looks attractive, but also because it makes the books easier to dust off. Often condition on books that have been gilded is at least partly determined by how much or little the gilding has tarnished or rubbed.

Translation(s)

English: Gilt

French: Doré

German: Vergoldet

Dutch: Verguld

Danish: Forgyldt

Italian: Dorato

Spanish: Dorado

Swedish: Guldornament

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Gilt top

Gilt top, gilt applied to the top edge of the text block (see also g.t.)

Translation(s)

English: Gilt top

French: Tête dorée

German: Kopfgoldschnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Glassine

Thin, partially transparent paper product, either printed, or most often not, used as a dustjacket on some books, perhaps most frequently on limited or small press editions.

Translation(s)

English: Glassine

French: Glassine

German: Pergamin

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Glossary

Translation(s)

English: Glossary

German: Glossar

Glued

Translation(s)

English: Glued

French: Collé

German: Geklebt

Dutch: Geplakt, gelijmd

Danish: Klæbet

Italian: Incollato

Spanish: Encolado, pegado

Swedish: Limmad, klistrad

Gnawed

Refers to the condition of a book; chewed-on edges or corners of a book.

Translation(s)

English: Gnawed

French: Rongé

German: Mäusefraß

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Go(au)ffered, chiselled (edges)

Translation(s)

English: Go(au)ffered, chiselled (edges)

French: Ciselée (tranche)

German: Ziseliert (Schnitt)

Dutch: Geciseleerd

Danish: Ciseleret

Italian: Cesellato

Spanish: Cincelado, (corte) labrado

Swedish: Ciserleard, utmejslad

Goffered paper

Translation(s)

English: Goffered paper

German: Gaufriertes Papier

Gothic type

Translation(s)

English: Gothic type

German: Fraktur

Gouge

Refers to the condition of a book; an unintentional nick or hole in the cover of a book, or on its spine. Or in bookbinding, a single-line finishing tool that is used to create either blind or gold decoration on the covers but not on the spine of a book.

Translation(s)

English: Gouge

French: Gouge

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Grain

Translation(s)

English: Grain

German: Narbe

Grolier binding

Translation(s)

English: Grolier binding

Swedish: Grolier-band

Guilloche

Translation(s)

English: Guilloche

German: Guilloche

Gutter

The inner margin of the leaves of a bound book; adjacent inner margins of facing pages when book is open.

Translation(s)

English: Gutter

French: Marges intérieures

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Half binding

The spine and corner leather occupy only approx. 1/2 of top edge.

Translation(s)

English: Half binding

French: Demi-reliure

German: Halblederband, Halbleinen, Halbpergament

Dutch: Halfband

Danish: Halvbind

Italian: Mezza legatura

Spanish: Media encuadernación

Swedish: Halvfranskt band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Half calf

Translation(s)

English: Half calf

French: Demi-veau

German: Halbleder

Dutch: Half leder, half leer

Danish: Halvlæder

Italian: Mezza pelle

Spanish: Media piel

Swedish: Halvläder, hlavfranskt

Half cloth

Translation(s)

English: Half cloth

French: Demi-toile

German: Halbleinen

Dutch: Half linnen

Danish: Halvlærred, halvshirting

Italian: Mezza tela

Spanish: Media tela

Swedish: Halvklot

Half sheepskin

Translation(s)

English: Half sheepskin

French: Demi-basane

German: Halb-Schafleder

Dutch: Half schaapsleer, half bezaan

Danish: Halv fåreskind

Italian: Mezza bazzana

Spanish: Media badana

Swedish: Halvfårskinn, välskt band

Half title

Translation(s)

English: Half title

German: Zwischentitel

Half title

A page which precedes the title page and the text, with the title (often abbreviated) usually centered on the page.

Translation(s)

English: Half title

French: Faux-titre

German: Schmutztitel

Dutch: Franse titel, voortitel

Danish: Smudstitel

Italian: Occhiello, occhietto

Spanish: Anteportada

Swedish: Smutstitel

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Half vellum

Translation(s)

English: Half vellum

French: Demi-vélin

German: Halbpergament

Dutch: Half perkament

Danish: Halvpergamentsbind

Italian: Mezza pergamena

Spanish: Medio pergamino

Swedish: Halvpergament

Half-tone print

Translation(s)

English: Half-tone print

German: Autotypie

Hand printing

Translation(s)

English: Hand printing

German: Reibedruck

Hand-gilded

Translation(s)

English: Hand-gilded

German: Handvergoldung

Hard-boiled

Fiction, usually detective fiction, marked by a gritty, pessimistic, and tough-as-nails world view. Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon would be the cornerstone of any hard-boiled mystery collection.

Translation(s)

English: Hard-boiled

French: Hard-boiled

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Hardcover

Translation(s)

English: Hardcover

German: Hardcover

Head piece

Translation(s)

English: Head piece

German: Kopfvignette

Head-piece

Translation(s)

English: Head-piece

French: En-tête (illustration)

German: Kopfleiste, Zierleiste

Dutch: Kopvignet

Danish: Vignet, hovedvignet

Italian: Testatina

Spanish: Viñeta

Swedish: Vinjett

Headband

Band of silk or cotton affixed to signatures when bound for strength or, more often, decoration of the spine.

Translation(s)

English: Headband

French: Headband

German: Kapitalband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Heading

Translation(s)

English: Heading

French: En-tête

German: Kopftitel

Dutch: Koptitel

Danish: Hoved

Italian: Intestazione

Spanish: Cabecera

Swedish: Överstycke, fris, huvud

Headline

Translation(s)

English: Headline

German: Kolumnentitel

Height

Translation(s)

English: Height

French: Hauteur

German: Höhe

Dutch: Hoogte

Danish: Højde

Italian: Altezza

Spanish: Altura

Swedish: Höjd

High spot

A term that is used to denote a highly regarded first or important edition of a book.

Translation(s)

English: High spot

French: High Spot

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Highlighting

The bright pen markings where the previous owner marked the book to highlight words, sentences, and/or passages of text.

Translation(s)

English: Highlighting

French: Highlighting

Swedish: Understrykningar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Hinge

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.

Translation(s)

English: Hinge

French: Charnière

German: Gelenk (innen)

Dutch: Scharnier (-versterking)

Danish: Fals (på bogbind)

Italian: Cerniera

Spanish: Charnela, bisagra

Swedish: Fals (på bokpärm)

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Holograph

Anything handwritten entirely by the writer; i.e. a letter written entirely in the handwriting of the correspondent is a holograph of that person.

Translation(s)

English: Holograph

French: Holograph

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Homonym

Translation(s)

English: Homonym

German: Homonym

Horae

Book of Hours. "Manuscript or printed collections of litanies, prayers, etc., for private devotional use at the canonical offices of the Roman Church. Variations of detail between one diocese and another are indicated by such phrases as ‘Horæ of the Use of Rouen’, or ‘a Book of Hours of the Sarum Use’.The output of manuscript Horæ, during the 14th and 15th centuries particularly, must have been immense. The majority of printed examples derive from the years between 1490 and 1520, with Paris as the most active centre of production." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Horae

French: Livre d'heures

German: Stundenbücher

Dutch: Getijdenboek

Danish: Tidebog, bønnebog

Italian: Libro d'ore

Spanish: Libro de horas

Swedish: Bönbok, tidebok, bilderbok

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Hubin

An excellent and exhaustive reference to detective fiction by Allen J. Hubin, Crime Fiction III: A Comprehensive Bibliography, 1749-1995, available in either book or CD form. A must-have for any serious collector of (or dealer in) mysteries.

Translation(s)

English: Hubin

French: Hubin

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ideal copy

When a number of copies of an edition of a book are compared to each other, a bibliographer may set out what he or she considers to be the description of the standard copy of that edition, to which all other copies can be compared. Thus, when a book is said to be "missing a page", it is assumed that the ideal copy of that book always contains that particular.

Translation(s)

English: Ideal copy

French: Ideal copy

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Illuminated

A manuscript or book embellished with decorative elements that are typically hand-painted in rich colors and are sometimes gilded. The elements may include initial letters, designs, and/or pictorial scenes.

Translation(s)

English: Illuminated

French: Enluminure

German: Illuminiert

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Illustrated edition

Translation(s)

English: Illustrated edition

French: Édition illustrée

German: Illustrierte Ausgabe

Dutch: Geïllustreerde uitgave

Danish: Illustreret udgave

Italian: Edizione illustrata

Spanish: Edición ilustrada

Swedish: Illustrerad upplaga

Illustration

Pictures in the text, on the pages, as opposed to plates that are not paginated.

Translation(s)

English: Illustration

French: Illustrations in texte ou hors texte, figure

German: Textabbildung

Dutch: Afbeelding, illustratie

Danish: Figur, illustration

Italian: Figura, illustrazione

Spanish: Grabado

Swedish: Bild, figur, avbildning

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Illustration Processes

John Carter explains the illustration processes: "These are of two kinds; (1) the more or less direct product of an artist’s tool (which may be a camera) and (2) photo-reprographic. The photo-reprographic reproduction processes are line-block, half-tone, photogravure, collotype, photolithography, etc. The other group, which includes most illustrations of interest to collectors of older books, may be divided into four sub-groups: (a) relief printing – e.g. the wood-cut or engraving on wood or (more rarely) metal; (b) intaglio – e.g. copper and steel engraving, drypoint, mezzotint, etching, aquatint and gravure; (c) planographic – e.g. lithography; and (d ) original, whether produced by an artist’s tools or camera. Bamber Gascoigne’s How to Identify Prints (1986, 2nd rev. ed. 2004) provides a beginner’s guide to the history and recognition methods of the different processes. A more detailed and extensive survey, with an excellent bibliography, will be found in Printing 1770?1970 (1970, 2nd ed. 1998) by Michael Twyman. For technical details the reader is referred to Processes of Graphic Reproduction in Printing by Harold Curwen; for an historical introduction, to A. M. Hind’s A History of Engraving or Singer and Strang’s Etching Engraving and the Other Methods of Printing Pictures, which also contains a full bibliography."

Translation(s)

English: Illustration Processes

French: Gravure originale

German: Graphische Techniken

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Impression

All the copies of a book printed during one press run. During the handpress period, when type was reset each time a press was used, this term was synonymous with edition.

Translation(s)

English: Impression

French: Tirage

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Imprimatur

Translation(s)

English: Imprimatur

German: Imprimatur

Swedish: Imprimatur

Imprint

When used as a noun refers to the publication data located at the base of a title page, usually includes the city of publication, name of the publisher (sometimes the printer), and the year of publication. Sometimes this information is located in a colophon at the back of a book. Imprint can also be used to refer to a printed piece from a certain location or period of time, i.e. the university has a collection of 18th century Massachusetts imprints.

Translation(s)

English: Imprint

French: Adresse

German: Impressum, Druckvermerk

Dutch: Drukvermelding, impressum

Danish: Oplysning om trykningen

Italian: Nota tipografica

Spanish: Imprenta

Swedish: Tryckuppgift

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Incomplete

Translation(s)

English: Incomplete

French: Incomplet

German: Unvollständig

Dutch: Incompleet, defect

Danish: Ufuldstændig, ukomplet

Italian: Incompleto, scompleto

Spanish: Incompleto

Swedish: Ofullständig

Incunable

Anything printed during the 15th century, the first century of printing with "moveable type"; from the Latin, meaning "from the cradle"; can also be used in a relative sense to refer to other early printings, i.e. incunables from the Pacific islands.

Translation(s)

English: Incunable

French: Incunable

German: Inkunabel

Dutch: Incunabel, wiegedruk

Danish: Inkunabel

Italian: Incunabolo

Spanish: Incunable

Swedish: Inkunabler

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Initial

Translation(s)

English: Initial

French: Chiffre initiale (au chiffres de…)

German: Initiale

Dutch: Initialen

Danish: Initial

Italian: Cifre, monogramma, iniziali

Spanish: Cifra, inicial

Swedish: Anfang

Ink corrosion

Translation(s)

English: Ink corrosion

German: Tintenfraß

Inside or inner margin

Translation(s)

English: Inside or inner margin

French: Marge de fond

German: Bundsteg

Dutch: Binnenrand, binnenmarge

Danish: Indermargen

Italian: Margine interno

Spanish: Margen interior

Swedish: Inre marginal

Interleaf

Translation(s)

English: Interleaf

German: Vakat

Interleaved

When blank leaves alternate with the printed leaves of a book.

Translation(s)

English: Interleaved

French: Interfolié

German: Durchschossenes Exemplar

Dutch: Doorschoten

Danish: Gennemskudt

Italian: Interfoliato

Spanish: Interfoliado

Swedish: Interfoliated

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Issue

Something that (along with "states") will give you a headache. Technically a change in the first edition that has been determined to have occurred after the date of publication. Thus a "first edition, second issue" would constitute a book from the original edition, which has incorporated a correction or change to the text, and which some tireless (or tiresome) scholar thinks he can prove happened after the date of publication. These have to be paid attention to, but these determinations can be fluid as scholarship on a specific title evolves. Issue and state are often confused or used incorrectly.

Translation(s)

English: Issue

French: Émission

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Italic type

Translation(s)

English: Italic type

German: Kursive

Italics

Translation(s)

English: Italics

German: Italic

Japanese vellum

Fine quality paper made to look and feel like vellum, usually white or whitish in color. Also called Japon.

Translation(s)

English: Japanese vellum

French: Papier Japon

German: Japanpapier

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Job Printing

Translation(s)

English: Job Printing

German: Akzidenz

Joint

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 otherswise shows wear in an older cloth or leather volume.

Translation(s)

English: Joint

French: Charnière

German: Gelenk (außen)

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Justification de tirage

Translation(s)

English: Justification de tirage

French: Justification de tirage

Juvenilia

Work written when an author was extremely young, often as a child.

Translation(s)

English: Juvenilia

French: Œuvre de jeunesse

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Keeper, curator

Translation(s)

English: Keeper, curator

French: Conservateur

German: Konservator, Kustos

Dutch: Conservator

Danish: Konservator

Italian: Conservatore, curatore

Spanish: Conservador

Swedish: Konservator

Label

Translation(s)

English: Label

French: Étiquette

German: Etikett

Dutch: Rugschild

Danish: Rygfelt

Italian: Etichetta, tassello

Spanish: Tejuelo, etiqueta

Swedish: Etikett, ryggskylt

Label

Translation(s)

English: Label

French: Pièce de titre

German: Rückenschild

Dutch: Rugschild

Danish: Titelfelt, titelskilt

Italian: Tassello con titolo

Spanish: Tejuelo

Swedish: Titel-etikett

Laminate

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

Translation(s)

English: Laminate

French: Laminate

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Large paper copy

A special edition printed with the pages reconfigured to result in larger leaves with very wide page margins; the text of the individual pages remaining the same as the normal edition; usually large paper copies are printed in small, limited editions.

Translation(s)

English: Large paper copy

French: Grands papier

German: Großpapier

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Leaf (leaves)

Refers to the smallest, standard physical unit of paper in a printed piece; in the case of books and pamphlets, usually with a printed page on each side of a leaf; a broadside is printed on a single side of a single leaf.Marbled edges: usually the top, bottom and foreedge of a book with a multi-colored, swirled design, somewhat resembling the coloration pattern of marble stone.

Translation(s)

English: Leaf (leaves)

French: Feuillet

German: Blatt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Leather edge

Translation(s)

English: Leather edge

German: Lederschnitt

Leatherette

An imitation of grained leather, produced from a strong, machine-glazed base paper. Many small prayer books, for example, are leatherette.

Translation(s)

English: Leatherette

French: Skyvertex

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Legend, caption

Translation(s)

English: Legend, caption

French: Légende

German: Legende

Dutch: Onderschrift, verklarende tekst

Danish: Billedtekst

Italian: Legenda, didascalia

Spanish: Leyenda, título

Swedish: Text, bildunderskrift

Length

Translation(s)

English: Length

French: Longueur

German: Länge

Dutch: Lengte

Danish: Længde

Italian: Lunghezza

Spanish: Longitud

Swedish: Längd

Leporello

Translation(s)

English: Leporello

German: Leporello

Letter press

Translation(s)

English: Letter press

German: Hochdruck

Levant

Elegant and highly polished morocco goatskin leather with a grain-pattern surface.

Translation(s)

English: Levant

French: Levant

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Libraire

Translation(s)

English: Libraire

French: Libraire

Swedish: Boklåda

Librarian

Translation(s)

English: Librarian

French: Bibliothécaire

German: Bibliothekar

Dutch: Bibliothecaris

Danish: Bibliotekar

Italian: Bibliotecario

Spanish: Bibliotecario

Swedish: Bibliotekarie

Library

Translation(s)

English: Library

French: Bibliothèque (publique ou privée)

German: Bibliothek

Dutch: Bibliotheek

Danish: Bibliothek

Italian: Biblioteca pubblica

Spanish: Biblioteca

Swedish: Bibliotek

Licensed edition

Translation(s)

English: Licensed edition

German: Lizenzausgabe

Ligature

Translation(s)

English: Ligature

German: Ligatur

Light weight paper (Bible paper)

Translation(s)

English: Light weight paper (Bible paper)

German: Dünndruckpapier

Limited edition

Book intended to have a finite number of copies, usually intended as a collectible or artificial “rarity.” Often each volume in the edition is supplied with a specific number, and can be signed by the author, artist, binder, etc. Most limited editions have a limitation statement that elaborates on the wonderment of the volume in question. Some less than scrupulous publisher’s will issue editions limited to the number of copies that they can sell, with the limitation proclaimed, but the number not specified.

Translation(s)

English: Limited edition

French: Tirage limité

German: Limitierte Ausgabe

Dutch: Beperkte oplage

Danish: Begrænset oplag

Italian: Tiratura limitata

Spanish: Tiraje limitado

Swedish: Begränsad upplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Limp cover

A book that has a flexible cloth, leather, or vellum cover. In the last quarter of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 19th, limp leather covers were commonly used for books to be carried in the pocket. In the 20th century, the primary use was for cheap, educational, sentimental verse, or devotional books. Also known as limp cloth, limp binding, limp leather, or limp vellum.

Translation(s)

English: Limp cover

French: Souple

Dutch: Buigzaam, soepel

Danish: Bøjelig

Italian: Floscio, molle

Spanish: Flexible

Swedish: Böjlig, mjuk

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Literary almanach

Translation(s)

English: Literary almanach

German: Musenalmanach

Lithography

Translation(s)

English: Lithography

German: Steindruck

Lithography

One of a class of processes termed planographic, in which the printing surface (stone, zinc or a similar smooth-surfaced material) is not incised but instead treated with a medium that selectively absorbs (or repels) printing ink.

Translation(s)

English: Lithography

French: Lithographie

German: Lithographie

Swedish: Litografi

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Livre de peintre

Translation(s)

English: Livre de peintre

French: Livre de peintre

Livre truffé

Translation(s)

English: Livre truffé

French: Livre truffé

German: Getrüffeltes Exemplar

Swedish: Tryffering

Livre-objet

Translation(s)

English: Livre-objet

French: Livre-objet

Loose

When a book has been read carelessly or too often, and has become loose and sloppy in its binding.

Translation(s)

English: Loose

French: Loose

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Loose-leaf

The binding of individual sheets of paper in an exchangeable form, for pages to be added, removed, or relocated in the book. Loose-leaf bindings are used wherever records of repeatedly changing information must be kept. Instruction manuals, catalogs, and accounting forms are often loose-leaf bound. Also known as ring-bound.

Translation(s)

English: Loose-leaf

French: Loose-leaf

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Loss

Parts of the paper or cloth in or on a book which were originally part of the jacket or book binding but which have removed or worn away from use and are no longer present.

Translation(s)

English: Loss

French: Loss

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Lot

Translation(s)

English: Lot

German: Konvolut

Lower case (type)

Translation(s)

English: Lower case (type)

French: Bas-de-casse

German: Minuskel

Dutch: Onderkast

Danish: Almindelige typer, små bogstaver

Italian: Minuscole

Spanish: Minúsculas

Swedish: Gemena typer, små bokstäver

Lower edge

Translation(s)

English: Lower edge

German: Stehkanten

Lower margin

Translation(s)

English: Lower margin

French: Marge inférieure, pied de page

German: Fußsteg

Dutch: Onderrand, benedenmarge

Danish: Nederste margen

Italian: Margine inferiore

Spanish: Margen inferior

Swedish: Nedre marginal

Lumbeck (Paperback binding)

Translation(s)

English: Lumbeck (Paperback binding)

German: Lumbeck-Verfahren

Made up volume

Translation(s)

English: Made up volume

French: Recueil factice

German: Sammelband

Dutch: Verzameling

Danish: Samlingsbind

Italian: Miscellanea, volume fattizio

Spanish: Collección

Swedish: Samlade skrifter, samlade verk

Majuscule

Translation(s)

English: Majuscule

German: Versalien

Manuscript

The original form of a book, story, or poem, as it was created by the author. Manuscripts can take many forms and can have many versions, or drafts. Dealers should be careful to determine the nature or priority of manuscripts that they offer for sale, although this isn’t always so easy, especially with the advent of computer generated manuscripts. The most satisfying and least problematic manuscripts for collectors and dealers alike are those which exhibit work in the hand of the author – corrections, deletions, new passages inserted, or altered, etc.

Translation(s)

English: Manuscript

French: Manuscrit

German: Manuskript

Dutch: Manuscript, handschrift

Danish: Manuskript, handskrift

Italian: Manoscritto

Spanish: Manuscrito

Swedish: Manuskript

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Map

Translation(s)

English: Map

French: Carte (de géographie)

German: Landkarte

Dutch: Landkaart, kaart

Danish: Landkort, kort

Italian: Carta geografica

Spanish: Mapa

Swedish: Karta

Marbled paper

Translation(s)

English: Marbled paper

German: Buntpapier

Marbled paper

Paper decorated with a multi-colored, swirled design or pattern; often used for end papers or for paper covered boards, especially with 3/4 or 1/2 leather bindings.

Translation(s)

English: Marbled paper

French: Papier marbré

German: Marmorieren

Dutch: Gemarmerd

Danish: Marmoreret

Italian: Marmorizzata

Spanish: Jaspeado

Swedish: Marmorera

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Margin

Translation(s)

English: Margin

French: Marge

German: Stege

Dutch: Rand, marge

Danish: Margen

Italian: Margine

Spanish: Margen

Swedish: Marginal, rand, marg

Marginal figures

Translation(s)

English: Marginal figures

French: Chiffres en manchette

German: Zeilenzähler

Dutch: Regelnummers

Danish: Vers eller linietælling

Italian: Numeri in margine

Spanish: Números, ladillos

Swedish: Marginalsiffror, linjerüäning

Marginalia

Translation(s)

English: Marginalia

French: Manchette

German: Marginalien

Swedish: Marginal

McCue

Baseball reference book Baseball By The Books: A History and Complete Bibliography of Baseball Fiction by Andy McCue that is a reasonably complete listing of fiction titles that feature the game of baseball. Recommended if you like baseball fiction, and unlike most reference books, can be acquired inexpensively.

Translation(s)

English: McCue

French: McCue

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Metal cut

Translation(s)

English: Metal cut

German: Metallschnitt

Mezzotint

Translation(s)

English: Mezzotint

German: Mezzotinto

Mezzotint engraving

Translation(s)

English: Mezzotint engraving

German: Schabkunst

Mimeograph

A pamphlet, book, or broadside, usually ephemeral in nature, made by a mechanical printing or copying process using a stencil. Often seen in amateur printing, or for limited runs of printing, as for instance in screenplays. The stencils would wear out pretty quickly, so these were by their nature a self-limiting process.

Translation(s)

English: Mimeograph

French: Mimeograph

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Miniature

"(1) To miniate (from minium, meaning red lead) meant originally to colour or paint with vermilion, to rubricate or illuminate. But miniatures have come to denote the painted scenes, anecdotes, groups of figures or the like, distinct from conventional decoration and by implication more ambitious than historiated, with which the professional artists of the monastic scriptoria or secular ateliers decorated medieval and renaissance manuscripts (and occasionally some special copy of an early printed book). Such pictures would often be fullpage;and since the page would not necessarily be of small size, the term miniature, subject as it is to pseudo-etymological confusion, is not a very happy one.1 But John Evelyn was using it in 1645 and it is no doubt too late to change it. (2) Miniature books: the accepted term for books whose principal (usually only) interest lies in their very small size. Any volume below 2" 1½" would probably qualify." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Miniature

French: Enluminure

German: Miniatur

Dutch: Illuminatie, verluchting

Danish: Illuminering, kolorering

Italian: Miniatura

Spanish: Illuminado, miniado

Swedish: Färgläggning, illuminering

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Miniature book

Translation(s)

English: Miniature book

French: Minuscule

German: Miniaturbuch

Dutch: Miniatuuruitgave

Danish: Miniaturebog

Italian: Libro in miniatura, minuscolo

Spanish: Libro miniatura

Swedish: Miiniatyrbok

Mint

Without faults or defects, unread, in the same immaculate condition in which it was published (Note: very few "new" books qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the dustjackets from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving).

Translation(s)

English: Mint

French: Mint

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Misbound

An illustration, map, or a number of pages that have been incorrectly folded, bound in the wrong place, or bound in upside down.

Translation(s)

English: Misbound

French: Misbound

German: Verbunden

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Misprint

Translation(s)

English: Misprint

French: Coquille

German: Druckfehler

Dutch: Drukfout

Danish: Trykfejl

Italian: Errore di stampa, refuso tipografico

Spanish: Errata, error de imprenta

Swedish: Svibel, bokstavsfel, felaktigt tryck

Modern First

A first edition of a book published within this century.

Translation(s)

English: Modern First

French: Edition originale moderne

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Monograph

A work, generally short, dealing with a single subject.

Translation(s)

English: Monograph

French: Monograph

German: Monographie

Swedish: Monografi

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Morocco

One of a number of variants of good quality leather made from goatskin, which is appropriate for dyeing, and generally used in better bindings.

Translation(s)

English: Morocco

French: Maroquin

German: Maroquin

Dutch: Marokijn

Danish: Maroquin

Italian: Marocchino

Spanish: Marroquí, tafilete

Swedish: Marokäng

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Mors

Translation(s)

English: Mors

French: Mors

German: Falz

Dutch: Kneep, scharnier

Danish: Fals

Italian: Cerniera

Spanish: Cajo

Swedish: Pärmfals

Mount

Translation(s)

English: Mount

German: Kaschieren

Mounted

Damaged leaves, illustrations, maps, and/or photographs that have been strengthened by backing with paper or thin cloth. Also describes an illustration that has been mounted, or tipped, onto a blank page.

Translation(s)

English: Mounted

French: Mounted

German: Montieren

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Mull

The cloth which reinforces the hinges and is pasted directly to the body of a book and is hidden by the spine.

Translation(s)

English: Mull

French: Mull

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

MWEL

Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature (Springfield MA: Merriam-Webster, 1995). An excellent one volume reference, particularly nice for cribbing (and a favorite of contributors to Wikipedia). Like any reference, not without its faults and idiosyncrasies.

Translation(s)

English: MWEL

French: MWEL

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Mylar

Although this is a specific sort of plastic film, in the book trade it is used as a generic term to indicate one of several types of plastic used to protect books and dustjackets. These can come in precut sizes for jackets, or in rolls that can be cut and shaped to each individual book. Brodart is one popular manufacturer of these mylar liners, and novices in the book trade sometimes refer to any kind of mylar as Brodart, even if it comes from another company.

Translation(s)

English: Mylar

French: Mylar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Nature print

Translation(s)

English: Nature print

German: Naturselbstdruck

Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA)

It was the former president of the Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA) Menno Hertzberger who conceived the idea of forming an international organisation of antiquarian booksellers with the aim of establishing international peace through cultural exchange and open markets in 1947. The NVvA itself was founded in 1935 with the object of promoting reliability in the trade of old books and prints. Nowadays it counts 77 members, president is Ton Kok. According to the ILAB code of ethics the NVvA dealers guarantee the authenticity and completeness of their offers, with the right to return any goods for defects not mentioned and total repayment. They are also reliable and expert advisers concerning questions of insurance or inheritance, and can represent would-be purchasers at auctions where, through their expertise and relations, they can avoid difficulties and frustration which a private purchaser may encounter. NVvA members are of assistance in tracing books or prints considered difficult to find. Some have a special search services, by means of which the customer gains access to stocks spread all over the world. For 30 years the Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA) has been organizing an annual book fair in Amsterdam, well known both to foreign exhibitors and customers. See www.nvva.nl

Translation(s)

English: Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA)

French: Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA)

German: Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA)

No date or place

Translation(s)

English: No date or place

German: Ohne Ort und Jahr

Swedish: Utan ort och år

Nonpareille

Translation(s)

English: Nonpareille

German: Nonpareille

Norsk Antikvarbokhandlerforening (NABF)

Vidar Wangsmo is president of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Norway or Norsk Antikvarbokhandlerforening (NABF). Established in April 1942 by Jørgen W. Cappelen (Cappelens Antikvariat), Damms Antikvariat and Norlis Antikvariat and others, the NABF joined the League in 1948 and counts 19 affiliates at the moment. Rules are strict for applicants: They must have five years of practise as antiquarian booksellers and need recommendation from at least two NABF members. As ILAB affiliates they adhere to the Code of Ethics and Good Practice. The NABF participates in a cooperative online project of the Nordic rare booksellers: www.antikvariat.net is an internet database for all Scandinavian ILAB affiliates with over 1.572.000 titles. See www.antikvariat.no

Translation(s)

English: Norsk Antikvarbokhandlerforening (NABF)

French: Norsk Antikvarbokhandlerforening (NABF)

German: Norsk Antikvarbokhandlerforening (NABF)

Notation (music)

Translation(s)

English: Notation (music)

German: Notation

Notebook

Translation(s)

English: Notebook

French: Carnet

German: Notizbuch

Dutch: Notitieboek

Danish: Notesbog

Italian: Taccuino

Spanish: Libro de notas

Swedish: Anteckningsbok

NUC

National Union Catalogue, a huge compilation that records the known copies of books in libraries, published in several hundred very large volumes, with much information about the books. However, if you want to take it around to bookstores with you, you’ll either need a microfiche reader, or a large bookmobile.

Translation(s)

English: NUC

French: NUC

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Numbered

Translation(s)

English: Numbered

French: Chiffré, numéroté

German: Nummeriert

Dutch: Genummerd, gegapagineerd

Danish: Paginerret

Italian: Numerato

Spanish: Numerada (página)

Swedish: Numreard, paginerad

Numbered

Translation(s)

English: Numbered

French: Numéroté

German: Nummeriert

Dutch: Genummerd

Danish: Nummereret

Italian: Numerato

Spanish: Numerado

Swedish: Numreard

Numbered copy

Translation(s)

English: Numbered copy

French: Exemplaire numéroté

German: Nummeriertes Exemplar

Dutch: Genummerd exemplaar

Danish: Nummereret eksemplar

Italian: Esemplare numerato

Spanish: Ejemplar numerado

Swedish: Numrerat exemplar

Obituary

Translation(s)

English: Obituary

German: Nekrolog

Oblong

Translation(s)

English: Oblong

French: Allongé (format)

German: Hochformat

Dutch: Langwerpig (formaat)

Danish: Aflang

Italian: Allungato

Spanish: Alargado

Swedish: Avlång

Oblong

Translation(s)

English: Oblong

German: Oblong

Oblong shape format

Translation(s)

English: Oblong shape format

French: Italienne, format à l'

German: Querformat

Dutch: Langwerpig (formaat)

Danish: Tværformat

Italian: Formato oblungo

Spanish: Tamaño apaisado

Swedish: Tvärformat

OCLC

An abbreviation for a worldwide online database that gathers information about the locations and holdings of specific titles in libraries. When it was founded in 1967 it stood for the Ohio College Library Center. However, when it expanded far beyond this regional information a new title was needed to fit the acronym so it is now the Online Computer Library Center. Although the information on OCLC is constantly improving, it is far from a complete listing of all rare books in all rare book libraries. Nevertheless, the information it does contain can be very helpful in ascertaining relative scarcity and other bibliographic attributes. A dealer will never mention if OCLC locates 427 copies of a book in libraries, but if he or she can only find three copies, expect to pay a premium.

Translation(s)

English: OCLC

French: OCLC

German: KvK

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Octavo

A technical term used to indicate how many times a single printed page has been folded to make a gathering in a book. However, in modern usage it indicates the size of a modern novel, that is, between 8" to 10" tall. Abbreviated as 8vo., it DOES NOT mean "eight volumes."

Translation(s)

English: Octavo

French: in-octavo ou in-8

German: Oktav

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Offprint

An excerpt of a larger publication which has been printed and bound separately for promotional purposes. For example, publishers will print and bound a chapter of a book to send to booksellers or for the author to give away before the entire book is published. Scholarly excerpts are another example; a portion of a large journal piece printed for a professor to distribute. Offprints are highly sought after by collectors because, technically, they can be considered a first separate edition of the work and will often have a presentation inscription.

Translation(s)

English: Offprint

French: Tirage à part

German: Sonderdruck

Dutch: Overdruk

Danish: Særtryk

Italian: Estratto

Spanish: Tiraje aparte

Swedish: Särtryck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Offset

"The accidental transfer of ink from a printed page or illustration to an adjacent page. This may be caused either from the sheets having been folded, or the book bound, before the ink was properly dry, or from the book being subsequently exposed to damp. Offset from engraved or other plates on to text, and from text on to plates, is commoner, and also much more disfiguring, than offset from text on to text." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Offset

French: Offset

German: Abklatsch

Dutch: Offset

Danish: Offset

Italian: Offset

Spanish: Offset

Swedish: Offset

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Offset

Translation(s)

English: Offset

German: Offset

Old

Translation(s)

English: Old

French: Ancien

German: Alt

Dutch: Oud

Danish: Gammel

Italian: Antico

Spanish: Viejo, antiguo

Swedish: Gammal

Old Prints

Translation(s)

English: Old Prints

German: Alte Drucke

On approval

Translation(s)

English: On approval

French: En communication

German: Zur Ansicht bestellen

Dutch: Op zicht vragen, ter inzage vragen

Danish: Bestille til gennemsyn

Italian: In esame, in visione

Spanish: Pedir para inspección

Swedish: Till påseende, begära till påseende

Original boards

In the original binding from the book's publisher, as opposed to in contemporary binding (from the same time period but not from the publisher) or rebound.

Translation(s)

English: Original boards

French: Original boards

German: Originaleinband

Swedish: Originalband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ornamental initial

Translation(s)

English: Ornamental initial

French: Lettrine

German: Verzierte Initiale

Dutch: Versierde initiaal

Danish: Stort, forsiret initial

Italian: Iniziale ornata, capolettera

Spanish: Letra inicial

Swedish: Stor, ornerad initial

Out-of-print

No longer available from the publisher (o.p. or op).

Translation(s)

English: Out-of-print

French: Épuisé

German: Vergriffen

Dutch: Uitverkocht

Danish: Udsolgt

Italian: Esaurito

Spanish: Agotado

Swedish: Utgången, utsåld

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Out-of-series

Unnumbered editions from a numbered limited edition series. They are considered "extra copies" of the edition, are usually not signed, and are not considered part of the limited edition series.

Translation(s)

English: Out-of-series

French: Out-of-series

German: Außerhalb der Nummerierung

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Outside margin

Translation(s)

English: Outside margin

French: Marge extérieure

German: Außensteg

Dutch: Buitenrand, buitenmarge

Danish: Ydermargen

Italian: Margine esterno

Spanish: Margen exterior

Swedish: Yttre marginal

Owner's stamp

Translation(s)

English: Owner's stamp

French: Cachet

German: Besitzstempel

Dutch: Stempel

Danish: Stempel

Italian: Sigillo, timbro di proprietà

Spanish: Sello

Swedish: Stämpel, sigill

Page

A single side of a bound sheet of paper. Not to be confused with a leaf, which is the sheet of paper itself and has two sides. For example, the fifth leaf in a book may be pp. 7-8.

Translation(s)

English: Page

French: Page

German: Seite

Dutch: Bladzijde, pagina

Danish: Side

Italian: Pagina

Spanish: Página

Swedish: Sida

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pagination

The numbering of the pages

Translation(s)

English: Pagination

French: Pagination

German: Paginierung

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Palimpsest

Translation(s)

English: Palimpsest

German: Palimpsest

Pamphlet

A small work that is less than book-length, has paper wraps, and typically has a staple binding. Also known as brochure.

Translation(s)

English: Pamphlet

French: Libelle, opuscule, plaquette

German: Pamphlet

Dutch: Klein boekje, werkje

Danish: Lille arbejde, bog

Italian: Opuscolo, placchetta

Spanish: Opúsculo, folleto

Swedish: Litet arbeite, småskrift, flygskrift

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pamphlet, booklet

Translation(s)

English: Pamphlet, booklet

French: Brochure

German: Broschüre

Dutch: Brochure, geschrift

Danish: Brochure, flyveskrift

Italian: Brossura, opuscolo

Spanish: Folleto

Swedish: Broschyr, fäfte

Panel

Refers to borders in binding. Can also be used in connection with the main surfaces of a dust jacket.

Translation(s)

English: Panel

French: Panel

German: Buchschmuck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paper

Often used for valuable books: Japanese Vellum - Fine quality paper made to look and feel like vellum, usually white or whitish in color. Also called Japon.

Translation(s)

English: Paper

French: Papier

German: Papier

Dutch: Papier

Danish: Papir

Italian: Carta

Spanish: Papel

Swedish: Papper

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paper covers

Describes a book not bound in stiff paper covers. Can refer to a temporary binding, a booklet or pamphlet, or a book in early (1800s) wrappers. Paperbacks: "Books bound in wrappers, plain or printed, are found within the 15th century, and became increasingly common from the later 18th century.The famous tauchnitz series was primarily bound in such wrappers, while the invention of cheap wood-pulp paper led to other series of books in more or less striking printed covers, many of them qualifying as ‘pulp fiction’. Albert and Charles Boni had a series of paperbacks in the 1920s, and John Holroyd-Reece ’s ‘Albatross’ books were distinguished typographically from the Tauchnitz series which they eventually swallowed. But Allen Lane deserves the credit for inventing (with André Maurois’ Ariel 1935, the first Penguin) the modern paperback. While first generation Penguins were a monument of elegant (and within limits durable) book production, other paperbacks present considerable problems to the collector who wishes to preserve his books (see gutta-percha, paper, perfect, preservation)." (Carter, ABC for Book Collectors)

Translation(s)

English: Paper covers

French: Broché

German: Originalumschlag

Swedish: Omslag

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paperback

A book bound with flexible paper covers; usually a term reserved for mass-market publications.

Translation(s)

English: Paperback

French: Livre de poche

German: Taschenbuch

Swedish: Pocket

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paperback original

A paperback, either mass market or otherwise, that is the real genuine first edition of a particular title. Many notable first editions of 1950s genre fiction were paperback originals, such as Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.

Translation(s)

English: Paperback original

French: Paperback original

Swedish: Originalpocket

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paperboard

A hard bound book; the boards are the stiff cardboard or paperboard which is usually covered with cloth or leather; and when covered with paper, the covers are properly referred to as "boards".

Translation(s)

English: Paperboard

French: Cartonnage

German: Pappband

Swedish: Pappersband, pappband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Paragraph

Translation(s)

English: Paragraph

German: Alinea, Alineazeichen

Parchment

The skin of a sheep, goat, etc., prepared as a surface for writing or for use as a binding material.

Translation(s)

English: Parchment

French: Parchemin

German: Pergament

Dutch: Perkament

Danish: Pergament

Italian: Pergamena

Spanish: Pergamino

Swedish: Pergament, pergamentband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Part

Translation(s)

English: Part

French: Fascicule ou livraison

German: Faszikel

Dutch: Aflevering, nummer

Danish: Hefte

Italian: Fascicolo, dispensa

Spanish: Fasciculo

Swedish: Häfte, nummer

Pastedown enpaper

The part of the endpapers that is pasted to the inside of the front and rear covers.

Translation(s)

English: Pastedown enpaper

French: Contreplat

German: Innenspiegel

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pastiche

Translation(s)

English: Pastiche

French: Pastiche

German: Nachahmung

Dutch: Nabootsing, vervalsing

Danish: Pastiche

Italian: A imitazione

Spanish: Parodía, imitación

Swedish: Pastich, imitation

Periodicals

John Carter about book collectors: "Most book-collectors, being book-collectors, ignore magazines and newspapers which contain the first printing or a serialisation of something they want in first edition form. Thorough author-collectors take a sterner view of their responsibilities: some collect runs of periodicals for the sake of the serial, some extract the serial and have it bound. Even those who in general limit themselves to books allow a certain number of anomalous exceptions, mostly from among the border-line cases. For instance, Conan Doyle ’s A Study in Scarlet was first printed, in its entirety but amongst other contributions, in Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887; and collectors have decided (quite illogically, but exercising their unquestioned right) to consider this the desideratum, rather than the first edition in book form (i.e. its first appearance between its own covers), which was published in the following year – and is, incidentally, about five times rarer today. More rational exceptions are such works as Rider Haggard’s Mr. Meeson’s Will, which occupied an entire issue of The Illustrated London News in 1888, or Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One (in Horizon, February 1948)."

Translation(s)

English: Periodicals

French: Périodiques

German: Periodika

Dutch: Tijdschrift

Danish: Tidsskrift

Italian: Rivista

Spanish: Revista

Swedish: Periodica

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Photo-engraving

Translation(s)

English: Photo-engraving

French: Héliogravure

German: Heliogravüre

Dutch: Fotogravure, heliogravure

Danish: Heliogravure

Italian: Eliotipia

Spanish: Heliograbado

Swedish: Heliogravyr

Photography

Translation(s)

English: Photography

French: Photographie

German: Fotografie

Dutch: Fotografie

Danish: Fotografi

Italian: Fotografia

Spanish: Fotografía

Swedish: Fotograferi

Photogravure

Translation(s)

English: Photogravure

French: Photogravure

German: Photogravure

Dutch: Fotogravure, heliogravure

Danish: Fotogravure

Italian: Fotoincisione

Spanish: Fotograbado

Swedish: Fotogravyr

Photolithography

Translation(s)

English: Photolithography

German: Photolithographie

Phototype (printing)

Translation(s)

English: Phototype (printing)

German: Lichtdruck

Pigskin

"When tanned in the ordinary way, pigskin as a leather for binding, is intractable and, though very tough, liable to get brittle for lack of grease. When tawed with alum, it is much more tractable and very durable. It doesn't lend itself to decoration, except in blind." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Pigskin

French: Peau de truie

German: Schweinsleder

Dutch: Varkensleer

Danish: Svinesking

Italian: Pelle di troia, di scrofa

Spanish: Piel de cerdo

Swedish: Svinläder

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Pirate edition

Any edition of a work issued without permission of the author and without payment of royalties to the author or copyright holder.

Translation(s)

English: Pirate edition

French: Contrefaçon

German: Raubdruck

Dutch: Onrechtmatige uitgave, nadruk, vervalsing

Danish: Pirattryk, eftertryk

Italian: Contraffazione

Spanish: Edición pirata, edición clandestina

Swedish: Piratupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Placard, poster

Translation(s)

English: Placard, poster

French: Affiche

German: Plakat

Dutch: Affiche, aanplakbiljet

Danish: Plakat, poslag

Italian: Avviso murale, manifesto

Spanish: Cartel, anuncio

Swedish: Affisch, plakat

Plagiarism

Translation(s)

English: Plagiarism

German: Plagiat

Plain (cover)

Translation(s)

English: Plain (cover)

French: Muette (couverture)

German: Unbedruckt (er) (Umschlag)

Dutch: Onbedrukte (omslag)

Danish: Blankt omslag

Italian: Muta (copertina)

Spanish: Blanco, tapa blanca

Swedish: Blankt (omslag)

Planisphere, star map

Translation(s)

English: Planisphere, star map

French: Planisphère

German: Himmelskarte

Dutch: Hemelkaart

Danish: Kort over de to halvgugler, himmelkort

Italian: Planisfero

Spanish: Planisferio

Swedish: Globkarta, himmelskarta

Plate

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.

Translation(s)

English: Plate

French: Planche

German: Tafel

Swedish: Planschverk

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Plate (print)

Translation(s)

English: Plate (print)

German: Platte

Play

Translation(s)

English: Play

French: Pièce de théâtre

German: Theaterstück

Dutch: Toneelstuk

Danish: Teaterstykke

Italian: Opera teatrale

Spanish: Pieza de teatro

Swedish: Teaterpjäs, teaterstycke

Playing-card

Translation(s)

English: Playing-card

French: Carte à jouer

German: Spielkarte

Dutch: Speelkaart

Danish: Spillekort

Italian: Carta da gioco

Spanish: Naipe

Swedish: Spelkort

PMM

Abbreviation for Printing and the Mind of Man, a book published in 1967 that was based on an exhibition in 1963 of important books that helped change some aspect of the world and scholarship. This book has served as a convenient checklist to collecting for those with big ideas, and if you want the first editions, big bank accounts as well.

Translation(s)

English: PMM

French: PMM

German: Carter/Muir

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pochoir

Translation(s)

English: Pochoir

French: Pochoir

German: Pochoirkolorit

Poetry

Translation(s)

English: Poetry

German: Dichtkunst

Swedish: Vitterhet

Points

Peculiarities in a published book whose presence or absence helps to determine edition, issue, or state.

Translation(s)

English: Points

French: Points

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Poor

A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. Also called Reading copy.

Translation(s)

English: Poor

French: Poor

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Popular edition

Translation(s)

English: Popular edition

French: Édition populaire

German: Volksausgabe

Dutch: Volksuitgave

Danish: Folkeudgave

Italian: Edizione popolare

Spanish: Edición popular

Swedish: Folkupplaga

Popular illustration

Studs to protect the binding from moisture on the table.

Translation(s)

English: Popular illustration

German: Bilderbogen

Portfolio

A portable case used to protect loose papers, plates, pamphlets, and the like. It usually consists of two boards with a wide cloth or paper joint forming the "spine." Can also refer to an artist's body of work.

Translation(s)

English: Portfolio

French: Portfolio

German: Mappe

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Portolan

Translation(s)

English: Portolan

German: Portolan

Posthumous

Translation(s)

English: Posthumous

French: Posthume

German: Nachgelassen, posthum

Dutch: Posthuum

Danish: Posthum

Italian: Postumo

Spanish: Póstumo

Swedish: Posthum

ppbk

A mass market paperback book.

Translation(s)

English: ppbk

French: ppbk

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pre-publication price

When a new title is first offered for sale, often this special lower price is promoted and available for a limited time before publication.

Translation(s)

English: Pre-publication price

French: Pre-publication price

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Preliminary pages (prelims)

The first pages of the book that appear before the text begins.

Translation(s)

English: Preliminary pages (prelims)

French: Pages préliminaires

German: Titelei

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Presentation

A book which has been presented in some manner – by the author, publisher, your old Aunt Fanny, or anyone else, and that can be demonstrated to have been done so through an inscription, author’s or publisher’s complimentary slip, or whatever else. Some special copies of books are issued in “presentation” bindings, which are special editions that somehow announce that fact.

Translation(s)

English: Presentation

French: Presentation

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Presentation copy

Presentation Copy in the ABC for Book Collectors: "When used without qualification, this may always be taken to mean that the book was the gift of the author. But only a book spontaneously presented properly qualifies for the description; one merely signed in response to an owner’s request is called an inscribed copy. It is useful to consider the various ways in which such gifts have been bestowed; for any one of them would be considered by a cataloguer to justify the description presentation copy, yet they arouse widely differing degrees of enthusiasm in the discriminating collector. The pre-eminent quality in any presentation copy will always be that of its association – the interest or importance of the recipient, his connexion with the author or other such special recommendation. This will override most of the niceties distinguishable in the method of presentation; but, assuming the interest of association to be constant, these may be roughly graded as follows: (1) With a signed presentation inscription in the author’s hand to a named recipient; dated before, on or near publication. (2) Ditto; but undated or dated considerably later than publication. (3) With the recipient’s name, but having from the author or with the author’s compliments instead of signature. (4) Without autograph inscription, but showing evidence of having been sent by the author or on his instructions by the publisher. In 18th or early 19th century books the latter’s clerk would write or stamp in some such phrase as those italicised in (3) above; in more modern books a printed or typed slip would be loosely inserted. (5) With a note in the hand of the recipient stating that the book was the gift of the author. (6) With a later note making a similar statement at second-hand, from family tradition or the like. There are further subdivisions; and preference between (4) and (5) will be a matter of taste."

Translation(s)

English: Presentation copy

French: Dédicace

German: Widmungsexemplare

Swedish: Dedikationsexemplar

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Press

Translation(s)

English: Press

French: Imprimerie

German: Druckerei

Dutch: Drukkerij

Danish: Bogtrykkeri, trykkeri

Italian: Tipografia, stamperia

Spanish: Imprenta, tipografía

Swedish: Tryckeri, boktryckeri

Press Books

"A jargon term, but a useful one, covering the products of (a) private presses proper, e.g. Strawberry Hill, Lee Priory, Eragny, Gregynog; (b) concerns which, though not printing houses, call themselves ‘presses’ because they specialise in fine book-production, e.g. Vale, Nonesuch; and sometimes (c) printers whose work is collected for its own sake, whether it was executed for a commercial publisher, e.g. Bulmer, Chiswick, Curwen, Bruce Rogers, or issued over their own imprint, e.g. Aldus, Estienne, Plantin, Baskerville. Class (b) does not include the publications of university presses, or of the fairly numerous publishing firms which choose to call themselves something which they are not." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Press Books

French: Press Books

German: Pressendrucke

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Price clipped

The price on the inner flap of a dust jacket has been cut off.

Translation(s)

English: Price clipped

French: Price clipped

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pringle

Not a tasty brand of mulched potato chips which you should avoid eating while handling your book collection. Rather, it refers to a citation in David Pringle's Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels, a convenient reference on the genre.

Translation(s)

English: Pringle

French: Pringle

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Print through

Translation(s)

English: Print through

German: Durchdruckverfahren

Print, engraving

Translation(s)

English: Print, engraving

French: Gravure

German: Stich

Dutch: Gravure, prent

Danish: Gravure, stik, billede

Italian: Incisione

Spanish: Grabado, lámina

Swedish: Gravyr, stick, bild

Printer

Translation(s)

English: Printer

French: Imprimeur

German: Buchdrucker

Dutch: (Boek)drukker

Danish: Bogtrykker

Italian: Tipografo

Spanish: Impresor, tipógrafo

Swedish: Boktryckare, tryckare

Printer's Device

From the earliest days (Fust and Schoeffer, 1457) many printers used a device, or ‘printer’s mark’, to accompany – or occasionally to serve as – their imprint in a book. These will be found along with the colophon at the end of books printed before 1500–10, and thereafter more usually on the title-page. Familiar examples are the aldine Anchor and Dolphin, the Tree of Knowledge of the Estiennes, the Globe of the Elzevirs, Day’s Sun and, later, the Clarendon Press’s engraving of the Sheldonian Theatre and the Cambridge University Press’s figure of Charity.

Translation(s)

English: Printer's Device

French: Marque d'imprimeur

German: Druckermarke

Dutch: Drukkersmerk

Danish: Bogtrykkermærke

Italian: Impresa, marca tipografica

Spanish: Marca del impressor

Swedish: Boktryckarmärke

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Printing

The copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same press run or from the same plates or setting of type at one time. In the 19th century some publishers labeled later printings as if they were later editions, i.e. a second printing would be called a "second edition" on the copyright page.

Translation(s)

English: Printing

French: Impression

German: Buchdruck

Dutch: Druk, afdruk

Danish: Tryksag

Italian: Stampa, impressione

Spanish: Impresión

Swedish: Tryckalster

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Pristine condition

A book in its original condition, unchanged in any way.

Translation(s)

English: Pristine condition

French: A l'état neuf

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Private Binding

Translation(s)

English: Private Binding

German: Privater Einband

Swedish: Amatörband

Private Press

A small press, often operated by one person, usually devoted to the production of small quantities of finely printed books.

Translation(s)

English: Private Press

French: Private Press

German: Minipressen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Privately printed

A book or pamphlet whose printing was paid for by an individual or group and is meant for private circulation, not public sale.

Translation(s)

English: Privately printed

French: Hors commerce

German: Privatdrucke

Dutch: Niet in de handel

Danish: Ikke i boghandelen

Italian: Fuori commercio

Spanish: Fuera de commercia, no puesto a la venta

Swedish: Privattryck

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Priviledge

Translation(s)

English: Priviledge

German: Privileg

Proof

"First proofs of a book (see also galleys) are provided by the printer for the author’s correction and the publisher’s scrutiny. Revised proofs are the intermediate stage either to final proofs or, if these are dispensed with, to the finished book. The author’s set (or sets) of proofs are apt to carry marginal corrections, additions, etc., in his own hand, varying from a few words to rewritten paragraphs. The printer’s reader reviewed the first printed sheets. Of the revised or the final proofs (usually stitched and wrappered), the publisher used commonly to order a quite large number, for use in the office and in the promotion of the book; their place is now taken by printed and gathered sheets similarly wrappered. Whereas the bibliographical distinction between wrappered final proofs and advance copies is significant, the physical differences are often slight, or non-existent." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Proof

French: Épreuves

German: Probeabzug

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Prospectus

Printed material, often in the form of a leaflet or broadside, which describes a forth-coming title in detail, often including information on ordering the book including pre-publication price.

Translation(s)

English: Prospectus

French: Prospectus

German: Verlagsprospekt

Swedish: Prospekt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Provenance

Evidence of the history of the ownership of a particular book (e.g.: auctions 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.

Translation(s)

English: Provenance

French: Provenance

German: Provenienz

Dutch: (Beroemde) herkomst

Danish: Berømt proveniens

Italian: Provenienza

Spanish: Procedencia illustre

Swedish: Proveniensexemplar

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Provisional cased binding

Translation(s)

English: Provisional cased binding

French: Cartonnage d'attente

German: Interimseinband

Dutch: Voorlopige cartonnage

Danish: Foreløbig indbinding

Italian: Cartonaggio d'attesa

Spanish: Encuadernación provisional

Swedish: Provisoriskt band

Psalter

Translation(s)

English: Psalter

French: Psautier

German: Psalter

Dutch: Psalmboek, psalterium

Danish: Salmebog, psalmebog

Italian: Salterio

Spanish: Salterio

Swedish: Psaltare, psalmbok

Pseudonym

An assumed name used to protect the anonymity of an author. Also known as pen name or nom de plume.

Translation(s)

English: Pseudonym

French: Pseudonyme

German: Pseudonym

Swedish: Pseudonym

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Published by the author

Translation(s)

English: Published by the author

French: Chez l'auteur

German: Selbstverlag

Dutch: Uitgegeven door de schrijver

Danish: Udgivet på eget forlag, på for fatterens forlag

Italian: Pubblicato presso l'autore

Spanish: En casa del autor

Swedish: Hos författaren

Publisher

Translation(s)

English: Publisher

French: Éditeur

German: Verleger

Dutch: Uitgever

Danish: Forlægger

Italian: Editore

Spanish: Editor

Swedish: Förläggare

Publisher's dummy

Sample of a book usually bound with the title page and a few pages of text, and occasionally a representative illustration, with the rest of the pages blank, created in order to demonstrate what the finished book would look like. These were made, usually in very small numbers, for a number of purposes - for the publisher to see what the binding would look like, as samples for traveling book sellers or publisher's representatives who would have something tangible to show to customers or bookstore owners, etc. These are usually very uncommon, but not always very desirable, unless the book in question itself is collected.

Translation(s)

English: Publisher's dummy

French: Publisher's dummy

German: Blindexemplar

Swedish: Förlagsband

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Punch

Translation(s)

English: Punch

German: Punze

Quarter binding

Usually lacks leather corners and leather of the spine occupies only approx. 1/4 of the top edge.Binding copy: a book lacking the original binding or with a binding in poor condition, i.e. a book in need of a new binding - can also be referred to as a reading copy.

Translation(s)

English: Quarter binding

French: Demi-reliure

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Quarter leather

A book with only the spine bound in leather, and the rest of the book in a different material, such as cloth or papercovered boards.

Translation(s)

English: Quarter leather

French: Quarter leather

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Quarto

Also abbreviated "4to." When a large printed piece of paper is folded twice to make a gathering of eight pages, but in modern books, used as an indication of size, usually a book that is between 10" to 13" tall.

Translation(s)

English: Quarto

French: in-quarto ou in-4

German: Quart

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Quire

"When used by binders or bibliographers, this is synonymous with a gathering or section. To a paper-maker it means one-twentieth of a ream of paper. It is also used in the trade more generally as a measure of extent, as ‘x quires’." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Quire

French: Quire

German: Rohbogen

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Quod libet

Translation(s)

English: Quod libet

German: Quodlibet

Rag book

A children's book printed on and bound with cloth fabric.

Translation(s)

English: Rag book

French: Livre imprimé sur tissu

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rag paper

Translation(s)

English: Rag paper

German: Hadernpapier

Swedish: Lumppapper

Raised bands

On a cord-bound book, the horizontal raised bands on the spine, usually of a leather binding. Not often used in books published today, except for quality leather-bound editions.

Translation(s)

English: Raised bands

French: Nerfs

German: Bünde

Dutch: Ribben

Danish: Ægte bind

Italian: Nervi, nervature

Spanish: Nervios

Swedish: Upph¨jda bind

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rare, scarce

Translation(s)

English: Rare, scarce

French: Rare

German: Selten

Dutch: Zeldzaam, schaars

Danish: Sjælden

Italian: Raro

Spanish: Raro

Swedish: Rar, sällsynt, ovanlig

Re-issue

A term encompassing all types of a reprinting of a work; it can be a later printing of a book, which is substantially unchanged, or an entirely new edition, such as a cloth edition re-issued as a paperback edition.

Translation(s)

English: Re-issue

French: Retirage

German: Neuauflage

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Re-sized

Usually means that all of the pages in the book have been "washed" and sizing material, such as gelatin or glue, has been re-applied. The washing may have been done to remove stains, writing, or acid from the pages. Sizing provides a protective finish and makes flimsy paper stiff.

Translation(s)

English: Re-sized

French: Lavé

Dutch: Gewassen

Danish: Vasket

Italian: Lavato

Spanish: Lavado

Swedish: Tvättad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Reading Copy

A copy which is not a collectible copy, either because it is a reprint edition, or because the condition is so far gone that the cataloger, faced with the prospect of the term "about fair," decides instead to consign it to the rubbish heap.

Translation(s)

English: Reading Copy

French: Exemplaire de travail

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rebacked

The spine or backstrip has been replaced with new material, in some cases the original worn backstrip is saved and glued over the new material.

Translation(s)

English: Rebacked

French: Dos refait

German: Rebacked

Dutch: Rug vernieuwd

Danish: Ny ryg

Italian: Dorso rifatto

Spanish: Lomo nuevo

Swedish: Renoverad rygg

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rebound

When the boards of the book have been detached or lost from the text of the book, and the binding has been replaced. Sometimes books are rebound simply because a collector appreciates the look more than the original binding, or wants the books to be consistent in appearance with others in his library.

Translation(s)

English: Rebound

French: Réemboîté

German: Nachgebunden

Dutch: Overgebonden

Danish: Genindbundet i gl.bind

Italian: Reinserito in legatura

Spanish: Encuadernado de nuevo

Swedish: Terinsatt i gammalt band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Recased

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

Translation(s)

English: Recased

French: Recased

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Recased (in an old binding)

Translation(s)

English: Recased (in an old binding)

German: Einhängen

Recommendation

A (usually positive) small review or comment by an important author or commentator that has been printed on the dustwrapper to stimulate interest in the book. Recommendations can be bibliographically important, either because they are an original piece of published writing by an author (something completists care about, or because their presence or absence is an issue point.

Translation(s)

English: Recommendation

French: Recommendation

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Recto

The "front" of a page in a book, or the page that is on the right-hand side of a book when it is opened. Also called the obverse.

Translation(s)

English: Recto

French: Recto

German: Recto

Dutch: Voorzijde, recto

Danish: Forside

Italian: Recto

Spanish: Recto

Swedish: Framsida, högersida

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Reference Library

What every legitimate bookseller should have, and what many take great pride in. The Internet is a great tool, but it is a poor substitute for a comprehensive library of bibliographic reference works. Although printed references can make mistakes too, only some idiots can write a bibliography, whereas any idiot can post something on the world wide web.

Translation(s)

English: Reference Library

French: Bibliographies

German: Handapparat

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Regesta (documents)

Translation(s)

English: Regesta (documents)

German: Regesten

Réglé (exemplaire réglé)

Translation(s)

English: Réglé (exemplaire réglé)

French: Réglé (exemplaire réglé)

German: Reglieren

Reinforced corners

Translation(s)

English: Reinforced corners

German: Eckbeschläge

Reissue under a new title

Translation(s)

English: Reissue under a new title

German: Titelausgabe

Rejointed

A book which has been repaired preserving the original covers & spine.

Translation(s)

English: Rejointed

French: Dos réparé

German: Neu eingehängt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Remainder

<p>A new book returned to the publisher as unsold, then re-marketed at a much lower price.</p>

Translation(s)

English: Remainder

French: Remainder

German: Restauflage

Swedish: Restupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

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 sold at a much lower price.

Translation(s)

English: Remainder mark

French: Remainder mark

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Remarque

Translation(s)

English: Remarque

German: Remarke

Remboîtage

Translation(s)

English: Remboîtage

French: Remboîtage

German: Remboîtage

Repaired, restored

Translation(s)

English: Repaired, restored

French: Restauré

German: Restauriert

Dutch: Gerestaureerd

Danish: Repareret, restaureret

Italian: Restaurato

Spanish: Restaurado

Swedish: Reparerad, restaurerad

Repertorium

Translation(s)

English: Repertorium

German: Repertorium

Reprint

Later printings of a book, or something you usually don't want if you are a first edition collector. You can read them though. There are two common exceptions among collectors: 1) textually or artistically significant reprints, in which academics and die-hard collectors will take an interest, and 2) signed or inscribed reprints, which, if the author rarely signed or the association is particularly notable, can command healthy interest and/or prices.

Translation(s)

English: Reprint

French: Réimpression

German: Nachdruck

Dutch: Herdruk

Danish: Nytryk, ny udgave

Italian: Ristampa

Spanish: Reimpresión

Swedish: Omtryck, nytrick

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Reprinting (early methods)

Translation(s)

English: Reprinting (early methods)

German: Anastatischer Druck

Residue (Stickerghost)

As in "sticker residue" or "tape residue" - once upon a time long ago, the book in question had a sticker or tape on it, someone removed the latter, but some of the adhesive or some evidence of it still remains.

Translation(s)

English: Residue (Stickerghost)

French: Résidu

German: Klebereste

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Retouched

Translation(s)

English: Retouched

German: Retusche

Review slip

A small printed piece of paper either laid into or affixed to a regular trade edition of a book, sent to reviewers, in order or the publisher to stimulate interest in the book. Usually sent out before the official day of publication, so the reviewer can prepare his review to appear when the book is officially published, these command a premium among those that want the earliest distributed copies of a book, which after all, is one of the reasons people collect first editions in the first place.

Translation(s)

English: Review slip

French: Review slip

German: Waschzettel

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ribbed back

Translation(s)

English: Ribbed back

French: Dos à nerfs

German: Rücken mit Bünden

Dutch: Geribde rug

Danish: Ryg med ophøjede bind

Italian: Dorso a nervi

Spanish: Lomo con nervies

Swedish: Med upphöjda bind

Rice paper

Translation(s)

English: Rice paper

German: Reispapier

Roan

A soft, flexible, sheepskin binding. This durable, yet cheap, leather material came in to use around 1790 as a replacement for the more expensive morocco leather, and is not known for its elegance.

Translation(s)

English: Roan

French: Roan

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rocaille

Translation(s)

English: Rocaille

German: Rocaille

Role-stamp

Translation(s)

English: Role-stamp

German: Rollenstempel

Roma

Translation(s)

English: Roma

German: Romabütten

Roman Type

Translation(s)

English: Roman Type

German: Antiqua

Roth 101

Andrew Roth's The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century, which has been a convenient guide to photography collectors.

Translation(s)

English: Roth 101

French: Roth 101

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rough

Unpolished suede-like leather, which was primarily used for binding of reference books, music scores, working manuals, and similar books, since the 18th century. Also known as reversed calf.

Translation(s)

English: Rough

French: Rough

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rubbing

Wear, often to the edges, caused to a book or dustjacket that is the result of friction, often from being removed and replaced upon a shelf with other books.

Translation(s)

English: Rubbing

French: Frotté

German: Berieben

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Rubricated

"A rubric is a heading to a chapter or section written or printed in red (with a specialised meaning in liturgical books). Rubricated, as used in descriptions of MSS. or early printed books, generally means that initial capitals and/or paragraph marks have been painted in red. The rubricator or rubrisher (a noun undeservedly obsolete) was the man who did the painting." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Rubricated

French: Rubriqué (exemplaire rubriqué)

German: Rubrizieren

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Sabin

Joseph Sabin's monumental bibliography Bibliotheca Americana: A Dictionary of Books Relating to America from Its Discovery to the Present Time.

Translation(s)

English: Sabin

French: Sabin

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Sale

Translation(s)

English: Sale

French: Vente

German: Verkauf

Dutch: Verkoop

Danish: Salg

Italian: Vendita all'asta

Spanish: Venta

Swedish: Försäljning

Salesman sample

Volume made for door-to-door sales of a forth-coming title, usually has examples of several binding styles, the title page, a few pages of text and some illustrations (if any) and often a few ruled leaves bound in the back to be used to record the sales transaction including the name and address of those ordering the book.

Translation(s)

English: Salesman sample

French: Specimen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Scarce

Traditionally, a "scarce" publication isn't as hard to find as a rare publication, but might take a few years to locate.

Translation(s)

English: Scarce

French: Rare

Swedish: Sällsynt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Scraper

Translation(s)

English: Scraper

German: Streicheisen

Scratched, rubbed

Translation(s)

English: Scratched, rubbed

French: Épidermé

German: Beschabt

Dutch: Geschaafd

Danish: Skrabet

Italian: Abraso, graffiato

Spanish: Rozado/a

Swedish: Skrapad

Scuffed

Like rubbed, but more severe.

Translation(s)

English: Scuffed

French: Scuffed

German: Stärker berieben

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Second-hand book of little value

Translation(s)

English: Second-hand book of little value

French: Livre d'occasion

German: Gebrauchtbuch

Dutch: Boek, boekje

Danish: Gammel bog

Italian: Libretto, libro usato

Spanish: Libro usado, librillo

Swedish: Liten bok, lunta

Secondhand book

Translation(s)

English: Secondhand book

Swedish: Begagnade böcker

Secretarial inscription

Different from a forgery, this is a copied signature of an author, or other notable, made with his or her knowledge - usually by a secretary or similarly empowered agent - but which is not from his or her own hand.

Translation(s)

English: Secretarial inscription

French: Secretarial inscription

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Self-wrappers

The wrappers of a pamphlet consist of the first leaf of the first signature and the final leaf of the last signature; i.e. no special or distinct paper wrappers have been added; often government pamphlets and almanacs have self-wrappers.

Translation(s)

English: Self-wrappers

French: Self-wrappers

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Separate

Translation(s)

English: Separate

German: Apart

Serial title

Translation(s)

English: Serial title

German: Reihentitel

Serigraphy

Translation(s)

English: Serigraphy

German: Siebdruck

Sewed, sewn

Translation(s)

English: Sewed, sewn

French: Broché

German: Broschiert

Dutch: Ingenaaid, gebrocheerd

Danish: Heftet

Italian: In brossura

Spanish: Rústico

Swedish: Häftad, broscherad

Sewing

Translation(s)

English: Sewing

French: Couture

German: Fadenheftung

Dutch: Brochering

Danish: Heftning

Italian: Cucitura

Spanish: Cosido

Swedish: Häftad

Shagreen

Translation(s)

English: Shagreen

French: Chagrin

German: Chagrin

Dutch: Geitenleer

Danish: Chagrin

Italian: Zigrino

Spanish: Chagrin

Swedish: Chagrin

Shaken

Indicates that sections (signatures) of a book or pamphlet are becoming quite loose, but remain attached to the binding.

Translation(s)

English: Shaken

French: Shaken

German: Gelockert

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Sheep

A common leather binding material from sheep hides; used like calf for a less expensive binding than morocco, appears to have been frequently used for text books and law books in the 19th century (see also calf, morocco, and vellum).

Translation(s)

English: Sheep

French: Basane

German: Schafleder

Dutch: Schapenleer, bezaan

Danish: Fåreskind

Italian: Bazzana

Spanish: Badana

Swedish: Fårskinn

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Sheets

The pages which have been printed but not yet folded, sewn, or gathered together for binding.

Translation(s)

English: Sheets

French: Sheets

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Short grain

Translation(s)

English: Short grain

German: Breitbahn

Side

Translation(s)

English: Side

French: Plat

German: Deckel

Dutch: Plat

Danish: Bindside, perm

Italian: Piatto

Spanish: Tapa

Swedish: Pärm, bokpärm

Signature

"The letters (or, in some modern books, numerals) printed in the tail margin of the first leaf (at least) of each gathering or section of a book, as a guide to the binder in assembling them correctly. (See, for instance, p. 33 or p. 177 of this book.) Signatures normally run from A to Z, omitting, by convention, J and U, which in earlier days were capitalised as I and V, and also W. If the whole alphabet has been run through, they usually proceed to AA, BB, or Aa, Bb, etc. These are commonly indicated in bibliographical descriptions as 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, etc. When, as an alternative, a single-letter alphabet is simply repeated, it is convenient to indicate the subsequent alphabets as 2A, 3A, 2B, 3B, etc." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Signature

French: Signature

German: Signatur

Dutch: Signatuur

Danish: Signatur

Italian: Segnatura

Spanish: Signatura

Swedish: Signerat exemplar

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

signature (sheet)

Translation(s)

English: signature (sheet)

German: Bogen(signatur)

Swedish: Ark, arksignatur

Silk binding

Translation(s)

English: Silk binding

German: Seidenband

Silver binding

Translation(s)

English: Silver binding

German: Silbereinband

Slightly worn

Translation(s)

English: Slightly worn

German: Läsur

Slipcase

An open-ended box, usually made of cardboard, but sometimes covered with cloth, into which a book is slid in order to protect it. These are sometimes supplied by the publisher with the book, most often in the case of expensive limited editions such as the limited edition of Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, for which each slipcase was numbered on an applied printed to label to match the book. Sometimes slipcases are ordered by collectors to be custom made for a specific book. If a book was published with a slipcase, and it is missing, it has a negative effect on the value of that copy.

Translation(s)

English: Slipcase

French: Emboïtage

German: Schuber

Dutch: Schuifdoos, huls

Danish: Kasette

Italian: Custodia, astuccio

Spanish: Tapas y lomo de una encuadernación

Swedish: Kassett

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Sliver

A very narrow or shallow chip or nick, usually at the edge of a dustjacket.

Translation(s)

English: Sliver

French: Sliver

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Small capitals

Translation(s)

English: Small capitals

German: Kapitälchen

Small octavo, small quarto

Translation(s)

English: Small octavo, small quarto

German: Klein-Oktav, Klein-Quart

Small second-hand bookshop

Translation(s)

English: Small second-hand bookshop

French: Bouquinerie

German: Second-hand Buchladen

Dutch: Boekenstalletje

Danish: Handel med gamle biliige bøger

Italian: Bottega di libri d'occasione

Spanish: Librería de lance, librería de ocasión

Swedish: Antikvariat av enklare slag

Small wormhole

Translation(s)

English: Small wormhole

French: Piqûre de vers

German: kleines Wurmloch

Dutch: Wormgaatje

Danish: Lille (orme)hul

Italian: Con forellini di tarlo

Spanish: Picadura, agujero menudo, taladro

Swedish: Litel hål

Soiled

Translation(s)

English: Soiled

French: Souillures

German: Schmutzflecken

Dutch: Vlekken

Danish: Pletter, smudspletter

Italian: Aloni d'umidità, tracce di unto

Spanish: Manchas

Swedish: Smutsfläckar

Soiling

An accumulation of dirt or dust most often caused by handling.

Translation(s)

English: Soiling

French: Taches

German: Fingerfleckig

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Solander case

Drop-front, or drop-back case used to preserve books (or as originally conceived, to preserve botanical specimens). One drawback is that occasionally, when the "drop front" is removed, the book drops forward onto the floor, with resultant damage to the book, and dismay to the collector.

Translation(s)

English: Solander case

French: Solander case

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Sought after

Translation(s)

English: Sought after

German: Gesucht

Swedish: Eftersökt

Sought after

Translation(s)

English: Sought after

French: Recherché

German: Gesucht

Dutch: Gezocht

Danish: Eftersøgt, søgo

Italian: Ricercato

Spanish: Buscado

Swedish: Eftersökt

Space line (printing)

Translation(s)

English: Space line (printing)

German: Regletten

Spacing

Translation(s)

English: Spacing

German: Sperrung

Spine

The part of the book that faces you when it is properly shelved on a bookshelf.

Translation(s)

English: Spine

French: Dos

German: Rücken

Dutch: Rug

Danish: Ryg

Italian: Dorso

Spanish: Lomo, lomera

Swedish: Rygg

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Spine fold

As in: "separated at the rear spine fold." The crease or bend in the paper that is created when a jacket is bent around the edge of the spine – there are two of these, in case you wondered – a front spine fold and a rear spine fold. Spine folds create slight weakness in the paper that might eventually become the location of a tear or chip.

Translation(s)

English: Spine fold

French: Spine fold

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Spine title

Translation(s)

English: Spine title

German: Rückentitel

Spiral bound

Held together at the spine with a spiral binding, usually made of either metal or plastic, that is threaded though punched holes on the spine end of the textblock.

Translation(s)

English: Spiral bound

French: Reliure Spirale

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Splayed

Warped or slightly bowed out, used most often to describe boards that have bent away from the text block.

Translation(s)

English: Splayed

French: Splayed

German: Gespreizt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Spot, stain

Translation(s)

English: Spot, stain

French: Tache

German: Fleck

Dutch: Vlek

Danish: Plet

Italian: Macchia

Spanish: Mancha

Swedish: Fläck

Square

Description of a book that has retained its original shape, or in other words, not become misshapen from repeated reading or mistreatment. Even a single reading of a book can easily round the spine a bit, so the square, unread copies that were ignored by readers are prized by collectors.

Translation(s)

English: Square

French: Square

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Standard work

Translation(s)

English: Standard work

German: Standardwerk

Steel engraving

Illustration printed from a steel plate (instead of a copper plate)

Translation(s)

English: Steel engraving

French: Gravure sur acier

German: Stahlstich

Dutch: Staalgravure

Danish: Stålstik

Italian: Incisione su accciaio

Spanish: Grabado en acero

Swedish: Stålstick

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Stereoscope

Translation(s)

English: Stereoscope

German: Anaglyphenbild

Sterotype

Translation(s)

English: Sterotype

German: Stereotypie

Sub-title

Translation(s)

English: Sub-title

French: Sous-titre

German: Untertitel

Dutch: Ondertitel

Danish: Undertitel

Italian: Sottotitolo

Spanish: Título secundario

Swedish: Undertitel

Subscription

"In the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries (and much less frequently since) expensive books, privately printed books, special copies (e.g. on large paper or with proof plates) or even the whole edition would sometimes be issued on subscription. Subscribers who responded to the preliminary proposal might be asked to pay part of the price in advance, perhaps against a smaller total than that ruling after publication day. And in many cases their names would be printed, in a list of subscribers; hence, such catalogue notes as ‘complete with the list of subscribers’, or ‘fine copy, but lacks the subscribers’, or ‘a subscriber’s copy, with signature of Cardinal d’Armagnac (“two copies on imperial paper”)." (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Subscription

French: Souscription

German: Subskription

Swedish: Subskription

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Subtitle

“A subordinate, usually explanatory title, additional to the main title and normally printed immediately below it. To be distinguished from half-title and fly-title.” (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Subtitle

French: Sous-titre

German: Untertitel

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Suomen Antikvariaattiyhdistys/Finska Antikvariatföreningen (SAY)

Suomen Antikvariaattiyhdistys (SAY), the Finnish Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association, was founded in 1941. Its first and long-standing chairman was Erik Olsoni during whose presidency SAY became a member of the ILAB in 1948. The association started with 10 members in the early 40s, and has 24 members today. Timo Surojegin is its president since 1996. The Finnish Antiquarian Booksellers’ promotes the knowledge of and the interest in old literature in Finland which is, indeed, a country with a long history in rare bookselling. The first bookshop was established in Turku in the 1840s. Like all ILAB affiliates the SAY members adhere to the Code of Ethics and have a high level of expertise. They aim to establish a good relationship with their customers and make them feel that they can rely on the expertise of the SAY booksellers at all stages of the transaction. See www.antikvariaatit.net

Translation(s)

English: Suomen Antikvariaattiyhdistys/Finska Antikvariatföreningen (SAY)

French: Suomen Antikvariaattiyhdistys/Finska Antikvariatföreningen (SAY)

German: Suomen Antikvariaattiyhdistys/Finska Antikvariatföreningen (SAY)

Supplement

Translation(s)

English: Supplement

German: Beiheft

Surface printing

Translation(s)

English: Surface printing

German: Flachdruckverfahren

Sütterlin

Translation(s)

English: Sütterlin

German: Sütterlin

Svaz Antikváru CR (SACR)

16 rare booksellers from Eastern Europe belong to the Association of the Antiquarian Booksellers of the Czech Republic or Svaz Antikváru CR. The SACR was founded in 1992 and became affiliated with the ILAB on the occasion of the 32nd ILAB Congress in Amsterdam in 1994. Tomas Madera serves as current secretary. Despite its short history, and with the help of Past President Georg Beran, the Czech Association has supported five national book fairs, held in Prague from 1999 onwards.

Translation(s)

English: Svaz Antikváru CR (SACR)

French: Svaz Antikváru CR (SACR)

German: Svaz Antikváru CR (SACR)

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Svenska Antikvariatföreningen (SVAF)

Svenska Antikvariatföreningen (SVAF), established in 1936, belongs to the five associations that met at the Preliminary Conference in Amsterdam in 1947 during which the idea of founding an International League of Antiquarian Booksellers was developed, before the ILAB was officially established in Copenhagen in 1948. Today SVAF has 64 members, from Ystad in the South to Boden in the North. Current president is Sigbjörn Ryö. Since 1936 the Swedish trade has changed dramatically, as everywhere. With the growing influence of the internet, many Swedish dealers have specialized. As a consequence, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Associations of Sweden, Denmark and Norway decided to set up an online database for their members ten years ago: www.antikvariat.net went online in October 1998, it has 97 participants and over 1.572.000 titles today. See www.svaf.se

Translation(s)

English: Svenska Antikvariatföreningen (SVAF)

French: Svenska Antikvariatföreningen (SVAF)

German: Svenska Antikvariatföreningen (SVAF)

Swedish: SVAF

Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)

The Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM) was created in 1914, and is one of the biggest and oldest antiquarian booksellers’ associations, preceded by the ABA only which was founded as early as 1906. One of its primary objectives is to make the public aware of the world of antique books. It is the sole representative of the rare book trade in France, and as such, it plays an active part in maintaining relations with the public administration as well as with private organizations and book dealers. Its activities are equally directed towards the promotion of the book trade and the knowledge of the book. The SLAM includes about 250 book, autograph and print dealers, whose knowledge and professionalism are vouched for by strict admission rules. All of them guarantee - competence and scholarship, the authenticity of the books, manuscripts and prints, honesty, professionalism and fair trade throughout the world. Consequently, they are experts in their fields of knowledge. They upkeep the tradition of bibliophily while preparing the bibliophily of tomorrow. They are devoted to the transmission of knowledge and to the preservation of culture. They will advise you on your purchases and can help you develop or sell your collections. Their sales catalogues are precious bibliographic tools. Each year the SLAM organizes an elegant International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Grand Palais in Paris, which attracts over 100 dealers from all over the world. SLAM has also been awarding a Bibliography Prize since 1998. See www.votrelibrairie.fr

Translation(s)

English: Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)

French: Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)

German: Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)

Table of contents

Translation(s)

English: Table of contents

French: Sommaire

German: Inhaltsangabe

Dutch: Inhoudsopgave

Danish: Indhold, indholdsfortegnelse

Italian: Sommario

Spanish: Sumario, lista del contenido

Swedish: Innehåll, innehållsförteckning

Table, index

Translation(s)

English: Table, index

French: Table

German: Register

Dutch: Register, tabel

Danish: Indholdsregister

Italian: Indice

Spanish: Índice

Swedish: Register, innehållsförteckning

Tail

The bottom of the spine, also called the foot, of either the book or jacket

Translation(s)

English: Tail

French: Queue

German: Schwanz

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Tail piece

Translation(s)

English: Tail piece

German: Schlussvignette

Tail-piece, endpiece

Translation(s)

English: Tail-piece, endpiece

French: Cul-de-lampe

German: Cul-de-lampe

Dutch: Slotvignet, eindvignet

Danish: Slutningsvignet

Italian: Finalino

Spanish: Culo de lámpara

Swedish: Slutvinjett

Taille-douce

Translation(s)

English: Taille-douce

French: Taille-douce

Tanning

Darkening to paper and inks, often from exposure to sunlight, but sometimes resulting simply from prolonged exposure to ambient light. Books kept on a shelf for several decades will usually exhibit tanning over time, even if they are never touched. Some dealers use more pejorative terms such as darkened or browned, but we prefer the more cheery implications of the book being "tanned," as though it had spent a happy and contented summer lolling away on the beach drinking margaritas.

Translation(s)

English: Tanning

French: Tanning

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Tarnished

Darkening of gilt lettering and decoration through oxidation over time.

Translation(s)

English: Tarnished

French: Terni

German: Oxidiert

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Temporary binding

Translation(s)

English: Temporary binding

German: Interimseinband, Interimsumschlag (lat.)

Tender

When the binding is loosening.

Translation(s)

English: Tender

French: Tender

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Text woodcut

Translation(s)

English: Text woodcut

German: Textholzschnitt

Textblock

The rectangular accumulation of paper that constitute the pages inside a book. The textblock, after being tarted out with a binding, would constitute your garden-variety book.

Translation(s)

English: Textblock

French: Textblock

German: Buchblock

Swedish: Inlaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB)

The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB) was founded in 1977 and belongs to the League since 1978. The ANZAAB has 62 members today. Its President is Peter Tinslay, and the International Antiquarian Book Fair in Sydney or Melbourne, hosted by the ANZAAB, is always worth a visit. ANZAAB is the professional body which represents the members of the antiquarian book business in Australia and New Zealand. It aims to promote antiquarian bookselling and collecting. Like many national associations it sets out standards of commercial behaviour to which its members voluntarily adhere. ANZAAB encourages the observance of the courtesies and honourable practices traditionally associated with the trade, and, in particular, seeks to encourage rare booksellers to achieve high standards of accuracy in descriptions of materials offered for sale. Membership is open to booksellers from Australia and New Zealand who have, for a certain number of years, been engaged full-time in buying and selling rare books of some worth, and who are recognised for their expertise and good name. The ANZAAB organizes book fairs in the major Australian cities. See www.anzaab.com

Translation(s)

English: The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB)

French: The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB)

German: The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB)

Thesis

Translation(s)

English: Thesis

German: Dissertation

Swedish: Dissertation

Thesis, dissertation

Translation(s)

English: Thesis, dissertation

French: Thèse

German: Dissertation

Dutch: Dissertatie, proefschrift

Danish: Disputats, dissertation

Italian: Tesi

Spanish: Tesis

Swedish: Dissertation, avhandling

Thongs

Translation(s)

English: Thongs

French: Lanières

German: Riemen

Dutch: Riemen

Danish: Remme

Italian: Legacci di cuoio

Spanish: Cintas, lazos

Swedish: Remmar

Three quarter binding

Volume has leather spine and corners which occupy approx. 3/4 of the space along top edge of board (cover). The remainder of the board is covered with marbled paper, plain paper, cloth, different leather, etc.

Translation(s)

English: Three quarter binding

French: Reliure trois-quart

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Thumb index

Translation(s)

English: Thumb index

German: Blattweiser

Thus

As in "first edition thus," usually a reissue but with some new material that we hope some collector out there will care about. Sometimes the new material is illustrations, or a new introduction, sometimes it is text that varies from the original edition, sometimes it is simply a new edition published by a different, but significant, publishing house.

Translation(s)

English: Thus

French: Thus

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Tidemark

A line on paper caused by its interaction with water. Increased global warming may result in more of this, especially if you live at the shore. Differs from a stain in that tidemark connotes a bookseller with a thesaurus.

Translation(s)

English: Tidemark

French: Tidemark

German: Wasserrand

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Ties

Translation(s)

English: Ties

French: Attaches

German: Schließbänder

Dutch: Linten

Danish: Bind, remme, snore

Italian: Nastri, legacci

Spanish: Cintas, lazos

Swedish: Fästen, remmar, band

Tinted

Translation(s)

English: Tinted

German: Tonplatte

Tipped-in

Attached to, but not integral to the binding of the book. We usually use this term to indicate something that has been added: a letter from the author, a newspaper or magazine review or obituary, etc. The nature of what is tipped-in will determine whether this addition will enhance or devalue the book.

Translation(s)

English: Tipped-in

French: Tipped-in

German: Beigabe

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Tissue guard

A leaf of light, usually translucent tissue paper bound or laid over a plate or illustration to protect it and prevent off-setting to adjoining leaves. Almost invariable the plate doesn’t offset on the facing page, but the tissue guard does, thus defeating the purpose.

Translation(s)

English: Tissue guard

French: Tissue guard

German: Seidenhemdchen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Title engraving (engraved title)

Translation(s)

English: Title engraving (engraved title)

German: Titelkupfer

Title Page

The page where the full title, author, and other information appears, usually including the publisher, place of publication, and date. Information on the title page might constitute an issue point, and authors will often sign books on the title page.

Translation(s)

English: Title Page

French: Titre

German: Titelblatt

Dutch: Titelblad, titelpagina

Danish: Titelblad

Italian: Frontespizio

Spanish: Página de la portada

Swedish: Titelblad

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Title vignette

Translation(s)

English: Title vignette

German: Titelvignette

TLS

Abbreviation for "Typed Letter Signed," which is a letter that has been typed, but has been hand-signed by its author.

Translation(s)

English: TLS

French: Lettre Tapuscrite signée

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

To publish

Translation(s)

English: To publish

French: Publier

German: Herausgeben

Dutch: Uitgeven

Danish: Udgive

Italian: Pubblicare

Spanish: Editar, publicar

Swedish: Giva ut, publicera

Tool, stamp

Translation(s)

English: Tool, stamp

French: Fer

German: Stempel

Dutch: Stempel

Danish: Stempel

Italian: Ferro

Spanish: Hierro

Swedish: Stämpel

Tooling

The decoration of leather bindings.

Translation(s)

English: Tooling

French: Dorures

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Top edge, head of a page

Translation(s)

English: Top edge, head of a page

French: Tête

German: Kopf

Dutch: Kopsnede

Danish: Oversnit

Italian: Taglio superiore

Spanish: Cabecera

Swedish: Övre snitt, översnitt

Topedge and Top Edge Gilt

The flat surface that is created at the top of the textblock by the accumulated edges of the pages of a book. Sometimes called the "top edge," the space denoting a pause, during which the bookseller struggled for the term. If the binder has trimmed and gilded the top of the text block, this is refered to as "top edge gilt" or simply "t.e.g."

Translation(s)

English: Topedge and Top Edge Gilt

French: Tête dorée

German: Kopfschnitt

Dutch: Vergulde kop(snede)

Danish: Oversnit forgyldt

Italian: Taglio superiore dorato

Spanish: Cabecera dorada

Swedish: Översnitt förgylld

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Torn out

Translation(s)

English: Torn out

French: Arraché

German: Herausgerissen

Dutch: Afgescheurd, uitgescheurd

Danish: Afrevet

Italian: Strappato

Spanish: Arrancado

Swedish: Avriven, avsliten

Touch of

Some form of wear that is slight but worthy of mention, as in "fine, with a touch of rubbing" – just a tad, a trifle, a pinch, a soupcon, (whose got a Roget's?).

Translation(s)

English: Touch of

French: Légèrement

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Tracing

Translation(s)

English: Tracing

German: Abreibung

Trade edition

The edition of a book intended for the public, such as would be sold in bookstores, as opposed to a limited edition, uncorrected proof, etc., which are intended for a more limited audience.

Translation(s)

English: Trade edition

French: Trade edition

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Trade paperback

When the cloth-bound trade edition is issued by the same publisher, sometimes simultaneously, but bound in wrappers. Because the same sheets are used, such issues are often quite larger than paperbacks published for mass-market distribution.

Translation(s)

English: Trade paperback

French: Trade paperback

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Translation

Translation(s)

English: Translation

French: Traduction

German: Übersetzung

Dutch: Vertaling

Danish: Oversættelse

Italian: Traduzione

Spanish: Traducción

Swedish: Översättning

True first

The correct first edition of a book, from its original country of origin. The term is most often used when the earliest edition is not obvious, or when copies most often offered in the book trade are not the earliest edition.

Translation(s)

English: True first

French: Véritable édition originale

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Type, character

Translation(s)

English: Type, character

French: Caractère

German: Buchstabe, Type, Schrift

Dutch: Drukletter, lettertype

Danish: Bogstav, type

Italian: Carattere

Spanish: Tipo

Swedish: Bokstav, typ

Typescript

A generic term meaning a manuscript that has been typed with a typewriter, as opposed to handwritten, printed, mimeographed, computer generated, etc.

Translation(s)

English: Typescript

French: Typescript

German: Typoskript

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Typographer

Translation(s)

English: Typographer

French: Typographe

German: Buchdrucker, Setzer

Dutch: Typograaf

Danish: Typograf

Italian: Tipografo

Spanish: Tipógrafo

Swedish: Typograf

Uncorrected Proof

A proof that is uncorrected, which is probably why they call it that. The text of a book printed, and bound in softcovers for use by the author, editors, proofreaders, and favored reviewers. Often errors or earlier versions of text appear in these proofs, and reviewers are usually cautioned by the publisher not to quote from this version. Versions where the text has changed considerably are considered more desirable. Around 1976 some publishers, who had noticed that proofs had become collectible, began to distribute them more widely, to booksellers and others, as a sort of "party favor," and consequently the values of some (but not all) proofs eventually diminished.

Translation(s)

English: Uncorrected Proof

French: Epreuve non corrigée

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Uncut

"Uncut is probably the most overworked word in the cataloguer’s vocabulary", John Carter writes. "And it has come to exert a mesmeric – and not entirely healthy – effect on the novice collector. He will not, of course, share the delusion which provides such ready (but blank) ammunition to outsiders hostile to bibliophily, viz. that uncut is the same thing as unopened, with the corollary that collectors prefer their books not only unread but unreadable. For unopened means that the leaves have not been severed by the paper-knife from their neighbours. The bibliographical importance of a book uncut cannot be over-emphasised: format, imposition, point-holes, sheet-size, all are easier seen and appreciated in a copy thus preserved. But unless the functional significance of uncut edges is properly understood, a rational preference for them in their place can all too easily degenerate into deckle-fetishism. Collectors have always, and rightly, cherished copies with ample margins; for it has been the habit of binders from earliest times to trim off more rather than less of the rough edges of the leaves than was intended by those who designed the printed page; and every time a book is rebound it is liable to lose more. Of books published before the age of edition-binding, therefore, a tall copy is preferable (other things being equal) to a short one. Yet the edges of all these books were intended to be cut smooth, even if they were not thereafter gilded, marbled, sprinkled, gauffred or stained with colour. Any copy of such a book, therefore, which has survived with its edges entirely uncut is an accident, a specimen of the embryo stage in book production: rare no doubt, bibliographically interesting, but not representative of the book as intended for the reader’s shelf. (See also trade binding.) With the adoption (1830–40) of publisher’s cloth as the original and intentionally permanent covering of the majority of books published in England and America, the collector’s attitude to their edges is radically changed. For if he is in pursuit, as he usually is, of a copy in its original condition as issued to the public, he will require that its edges (whether uncut, rough-trimmed or cut smooth) shall conform to a now standardised margin. All that he needs, therefore, in this particular respect, is an assurance that the edges have not been cut down by a re-binder or repairer. And a good deal of space is saved by those booksellers who make it plain at the beginning of their catalogues that all books described as being in original cloth have their edges as issued, and so need not constantly repeat the word uncut."

Translation(s)

English: Uncut

French: Non-coupé, non rogné

German: Unbeschnitten

Dutch: Onafgesneden

Danish: Ubeskåret (snit)

Italian: Intonso

Spanish: Sin cortar

Swedish: Råsnitt

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Underlined

Translation(s)

English: Underlined

French: Souligné

German: Unterstrichen

Dutch: Onderstreept

Danish: Understreget

Italian: Sottolineato

Spanish: Subrayado

Swedish: Understruken, underlinjerad

Uniform

Translation(s)

English: Uniform

German: Uniform

Swedish: Uniform

Unnumbered

Translation(s)

English: Unnumbered

French: Non numéroté

German: Nicht nummeriert

Dutch: Ongenummerd

Danish: Unummereret

Italian: Non numerato

Spanish: Sin numerar

Swedish: Icke numrerad, onumrerad

Unopened

A book with signatures which have never been cut as opposed to untrimmed and uneven (see "Uncut"); unopened books retain the folds of the original gathering and contain many pages which cannot be read without first opening the pages with a knife. Some collectors prefer an unopened book because it indicates that the book has never been read; other collectors who read their books would rather not have the task of cutting open pages and risking tears and jagged leaf edges.

Translation(s)

English: Unopened

French: Non coupé

German: Unaufgeschnitten

Dutch: Onopengesneden

Danish: Ubeskåret

Italian: Non tagliato, a fogli chiusi, intonso

Spanish: Sin abrir

Swedish: Oskuren

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Vanity press

Publishers and presses that publish books at the author's own expense.

Translation(s)

English: Vanity press

French: Vanity press

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Variant

A general term for any observed differences between copies of the same edition (such as in the text, paper, or binding), often used when no clear order of priority has been established.

Translation(s)

English: Variant

French: Variante

German: Varianten

Swedish: Variantupplaga

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Vellum

A type of white leather, most commonly made from calfskin that has been treated, but not tanned, and used for bindings, and in medieval days, used for handwritten documents. Changes in humidity play havoc with this material, and vellum-covered boards often warp dramatically.

Translation(s)

English: Vellum

French: Vélin

Italian: Pergamena

Spanish: Pergamino

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Vellum paper

Translation(s)

English: Vellum paper

German: Velin

Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (VAO)

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Austria or Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (VAO), established in 1949, joined the League in the same year. With 37 members and Norbert Donhofer as President, the VAO has hosted several ILAB Congresses, Book Fairs and Presidents’ Meeting, the last one in 2009 when 20 Presidents of the ILAB met in Vienna for four wonderful days and an important meeting during which China and Russia were admitted as new ILAB members. The association has its office in the Vienna city centre, being part of the Austrian Association of Publishers and Booksellers that represents all parts of the Austrian book trade. It includes those Austrian antiquarian booksellers who exclusively or primarily buy and sell antiquarian books, magazines, prints, autograph letters or music. Like all ILAB affiliates the VAO members submit themselves to a very strict code of ethics which defines how commercial transactions are to be conducted between Austrian and foreign antiquarian booksellers on the one hand and the professionals and individuals on the other hand. In cooperation with the German Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (VDA) and the Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU) the VAO organizes annual lectures for rare booksellers. Since 2008, the International Book Fair “BUCH WIEN”, organized by the Austrian Publishers and Booksellers Association, has a special a section for Antiquarian Booksellers. See www.antiquare.at

Translation(s)

English: Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (VAO)

French: Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (VAO)

German: Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (VAO)

Verband Deutscher Antiquare (VDA)

The German Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association or Verband Deutscher Antiquare e.V. (VDA) was established in 1949 and was accepted as an ILAB member during the ILAB Congress in Brussels 1951. Since then the VDA hosted several Congresses, Fairs and Presidents’ Meetings in Munich, Cologne and Potsdam. With 266 rare book dealers, the VDA is one of the biggest associations of its kind. Current President Eberhard Köstler says: “We share one of the most fascinating and wonderful professions, and we have the gift to deal with objects that are part of the history of mankind. This is great luck, and a great responsibility, for each antiquarian bookseller and for the VDA in general.” The German Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association promotes the common interest in rare books, autographs, represents its members in all public, legal and economic affairs and takes care for high standards in the rare book market. VDA booksellers must adhere to the ILAB Code of Ethics. This provides customers with certain guarantees that include: All items for sale are fully and accurately described, with all known defects disclosed. All items are authentic and clearly priced. All valuations and appraisals are fair and in keeping with the antiquarian book market. New members must have a five years practise as an independent antiquarian booksellers and recommendations of three colleagues before they are admitted to the VDA. The German association organizes the Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair which takes place in January, as the first international fair of the year, with nearly 90 exhibitors. Publications about the history of the rare book trade, book collecting and book printing are regularly published in small bibliophile editions, such as a new edition of Max Ziegert’s “Schattenrisse deutscher Antiquare”, Reinhard Wittmann’s “Von Schätzen und Scharteken. Antiquariatskataloge des 19. Jahrhunderts” or Friedrich Pfäfflin’s history and bibliography about Levy & Müller, a Jewish publisher of children‘s books. The VDA also runs Book Auctions Online, a database of the leading European Auction Houses where you can browse former and current auction results or look at the current auction catalogues. A members directory is published every two years, with the addresses and specialities of the VDA members, a history of the VDA, articles about book collecting and a glossary of terms commonly used in the rare book trade. For more information see www.antiquare.de

Translation(s)

English: Verband Deutscher Antiquare (VDA)

French: Verband Deutscher Antiquare (VDA)

German: Verband Deutscher Antiquare (VDA)

Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU)

65 rare book dealers from Switzerland belong to the Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU) or Syndicat de la librairie ancienne et du commerce de l'estampe en Suisse (SLACES). It was founded in 1939 and joined the ILAB in 1948. Current president is Alain Moirandat. After Bologna (Italy) in 2010, VEBUKU/SLACES organizes the 39th ILAB Congress and 24th International Antiquarian Book Fair in 2012 with meetings in Lucerne, a book fair in Zurich and many excursions to the rich treasures of the Swiss libraries, collections and museums. VEBUKU unites people dealing in old and modern prints and drawings, old and rare books, periodicals, manuscripts and autographs. Its aim is to protect and encourage a fair trade based on the experience, the expertise and cultural responsibility of its members. In cooperation with the German Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (VDA) and Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Austria (VAO) the VEBUKU organizes annual lectures for rare booksellers, that are held in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. The annual and sole Swiss antiquarian book fair is loyally supported by the VEBUKU. Every year in March the Zurich Antiquarian Book Fair is an international forum for dealers from Switzerland and abroad that especially attracts colleagues and collectors from Southern Europe. See www.vebuku.ch

Translation(s)

English: Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU)

French: Syndicat de la Librairie et du Commerce de l’Estamp (SLACES)

German: Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU)

Verso

The "back" side of a page in a book, that is the page that is on the left-hand side of a book when it is opened. Many people get the terms recto and verso confused, but our favorite was when we read an essay on book collecting by a bookseller that referred to the "reverso" of a page, which we felt had a certain zen-like quality to it as a descriptive term (unless he was referring to the superhero book collector able to return prices to what they were in his youth).

Translation(s)

English: Verso

French: Verso

German: Verso

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Very good

Better than good, but worse than fine or near fine, usually denoting a presentable and attractive, but not especially beautiful example of a book.

Translation(s)

English: Very good

French: Très bon

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Very rare, exceedingly rare

Translation(s)

English: Very rare, exceedingly rare

French: Rarissime

German: Sehr selten

Dutch: Zeer zeldzaam

Danish: Meget sjælden

Italian: Rarissimo

Spanish: Rarisimo

Swedish: Rarissimus

Vignette

"(1) A small ornamental or decorative design, used on a title-page or as a head- or tail-piece to a chapter or division of a book. (2) Any illustration not enclosed in a border or squared off at the edges but shading away, which process engravers inelegantly called 'vignettin'". (John Carter)

Translation(s)

English: Vignette

French: Vignette

German: Vignette

Dutch: Vignet

Danish: Vignet

Italian: Vignetta

Spanish: Viñeta

Swedish: Vignett, även vinjett

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Volume

If a book is published in several parts, these are called "volumes".

Translation(s)

English: Volume

French: Tome, volume

German: Band

Dutch: Deel, band

Danish: Bind

Italian: Tomo

Spanish: Tomo

Swedish: Volym, band

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Volume number

Translation(s)

English: Volume number

French: Tomaison

German: Bandnummer

Dutch: Deelnummer, bandnummer

Danish: Bindsignatur, bindnummer

Italian: Numerazione dei tomi

Spanish: Número del volumen

Swedish: Delbeteckning

Volume number label

Translation(s)

English: Volume number label

French: Pièce de tomaison

German: Bandnummernschild

Dutch: Genummerd rugschild

Danish: Felt til bindbetegnelse

Italian: Tassello con numerazione del tomo

Spanish: Tejuelo de numeración

Swedish: Eitkett för delbeteckning

w.a.f.

With all faults, indicates a book or other item which is being offered without careful delineation of its condition or without careful collation; usually indicates a less than "very good" copy, which probably does have faults, often including excessive wear or missing leaves, plates or maps.

Translation(s)

English: w.a.f.

French: w.a.f

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Wafer

Translation(s)

English: Wafer

German: Oblaten

Wartime paper stock

Cheap, highly acidic paper made during World War Two. In order to conserve materials, publishers were encouraged not only to make books smaller, but also to use materials of lesser quality. Consequently these books often deteriorated quickly. After the war publishers in the United States, and particularly the United Kingdom, often had large leftover stocks of this material, so these cheap materials can be found used sporadically in books published for approximately ten years after the war.

Translation(s)

English: Wartime paper stock

French: Wartime paper stock

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Waste sheet

Translation(s)

English: Waste sheet

German: Makulatur

Watermarks

John Carter about watermarks: "A distinguishing mark or device incorporated in the wire mesh of the tray in which the pulp settles during the process of papermaking, and visible in the finished product when held against the light. The maker’s name or initials, the place or date of manufacture, if added, were more apt to be embodied in the countermark, a subsidiary and smaller unit introduced in the 17th century, generally placed in the opposite half of the sheet to the watermark proper. Dates in watermarks are found in French paper from the 17th century, but are rare in England before 1794 when they were made obligatory (34 Geo. III c. 20); they should, however, be treated with caution as evidence of date, since the law only required the presence of a date, not that it should be changed annually. The presence of a watermark is normal in laid paper, less often found in wove paper used for book printing. Watermarks provide valuable evidence of the make-up of a book; and they are often helpful pointers to the existence of a cancel or the cunning insertion of an alien leaf. C. M. Briquet and Edward Heawood pioneered the tracing and recording of watermarks on datable sheets of paper (mainly archival), and the serried volumes of Monumenta Historiae Papyraceae and Piccard are now the paper historians’ standby. A photographic record is far more accurate than tracing; beta-radiography, in particular, has been used for forty years as a means of photographing watermarks without impedance from the text; other less expensive and more rapid methods, such as dye-line prints and X-radiography, are being developed. The pioneer of indexing watermarks was Briquet; but the whole technique of photographing, identifying and dating them is still in process of evolution."

Translation(s)

English: Watermarks

French: Filigrane

German: Wasserzeichen

Source: John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. 7th edition. With Corrections, Additions and an Introduction by Nicolas Barker. Oak Knoll Press 1995

Whipstitching

To sew a book's leaves by passing the thread over and over the spine; often seen in early pamphlets.

Translation(s)

English: Whipstitching

French: Whipstitching

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Width

Translation(s)

English: Width

French: Largeur

German: Breite

Dutch: Breedte

Danish: Bredde

Italian: Larghezza

Spanish: Anchura, ancho

Swedish: Bredd

With arms

Translation(s)

English: With arms

French: Armorié

German: Mit Wappen verziert

Dutch: Met wapen

Danish: Dekoreret med våben

Italian: Alle armi

Spanish: Con escudo de armas

Swedish: Prydd med vapen

Wood Engraving

A process somewhat similar to the wood cut in which a design is incised as a series of fine lines . This technique is of later development and is capable of far more detailed effects than the woodcut.

Translation(s)

English: Wood Engraving

French: Gravure sur bois

German: Holzstich

Dutch: Houtsnede

Danish: Træsnit

Italian: Incisione in legno, xilografia

Spanish: Grabado en madera

Swedish: Träsnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Woodcut

Illustrations produced when the original printing plate was engraved on a block of wood. One of the oldest methods of printing, dating back to 8th century China.

Translation(s)

English: Woodcut

French: Gravure sur bois

German: Holzschnitt

Swedish: Träsnitt

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Work

What it was to put this glossary together. Also an African-Americana reference volume: A Bibliography of the Negro in Africa and America by Monroe N. Work. A good reference, but it was compiled in 1928, so its utility is mostly limited to books from before that period. One feature of the book is that it identifies which of the authors who are represented in the book were of African descent.

Translation(s)

English: Work

French: Œuvre

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Worming

Small hole in the page of a book left by a book worm.

Translation(s)

English: Worming

French: Piqué (par vers)

German: Wurmstich

Dutch: (Worm)stekig

Danish: Med ormehuller

Italian: Tarlato

Spanish: Taladrado de polilla

Swedish: Maskstungen

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Worn

Translation(s)

English: Worn

French: Usagé

German: Gebrauchsspuren

Dutch: Versleten

Danish: Slidt

Italian: Con tracce d'uso

Spanish: Usado, gastado

Swedish: Begagnad

Worn

Translation(s)

English: Worn

French: Fatigué

German: Unfrisch

Dutch: Versleten

Danish: Slidt, ufriskt

Italian: Stanco

Spanish: Fatigado

Swedish: Nött, medfaren

Wraparound band

Strip of paper, usually with advertising, reviews, or movie-tie-in information that has been added to the book, often at a later date. A book so accessorized is usually coveted, as the bands were fragile and invariably discarded. On occasion these are colorfully referred to as “belly-bands” or “belly-wrappers.” They are usually not referred to as cumberbunds, or books in bondage.

Translation(s)

English: Wraparound band

French: Wraparound band

German: Bauchbinde

Swedish: Banderoll

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Wrappers

Abbreviated as "wraps", wrappers are the paper covers of a pamphlet, often of a paper of heavier weight than the text paper; when you see "wrappers" you know the item is not a hard bound book, but is instead a pamphlet or magazine with paper covers; usually not used to refer to 20th century paperback books which are called "soft bound" (with paper covers).

Translation(s)

English: Wrappers

French: Couverture, jaquette

Source: What bookdealers really mean. A dictionary by Tom Congalton and Dan Gregory (Between the Covers), with additions from other sources

Xylography

Translation(s)

English: Xylography

German: Xylographie

Year book

Translation(s)

English: Year book

French: Annuaire

German: Jahrbuch

Dutch: Jaarboek

Danish: Årbog

Italian: Annuario

Spanish: Anuario

Swedish: Årsbok, kalender

Year of publication

Translation(s)

English: Year of publication

German: Erscheinungsjahr

Yellow

Translation(s)

English: Yellow

French: Jauni

German: Vergilbt

Dutch: Vergeeld

Danish: Gulnet

Italian: Ingiallito

Spanish: Amarilleado

Swedish: Gulnad

Yellow morocco

Translation(s)

English: Yellow morocco

French: Citron (maroquin)

German: Zitronengelbes Maroquin

Dutch: Citroengeel

Danish: Citronfarvet, gul

Italian: Citron

Spanish: Citrón, amarillo limón

Swedish: Citronfärgad

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