G
G - See Condition - Good.
Galley - A proof copy of a book -- generally
without page numbers.
Galleys - Sometimes called "galley
proofs" or "loose galleys" to distinguish them from bound
galleys. Long sheets of paper bearing the first trial impression of the
type.
Gathering - A group of sheets folded together for
sewing or gluing into the binding.
Gauffering - A technique of decorating the edges
of a book by embossing the (usually) gilt edges. Sometimes (as in the
bindings of Fazakerley) this method is combined with painting to produce
spectacular results.
ge - See Gilt Edges.
Gilt Edges - The page edges have been trimmed
smooth and gilt, or gold, has been applied. The abbreviation ge means gilt
edges; aeg means all edges gilt; gt means gilt top; teg. means top edge
gilt.
Gilt Extra - A rather old-fashioned cataloging
term for a richly gilt binding.
Glassine - A transparent paper dustwrapper.
Glossy Paper - Polished, lustrous, smooth and
slick. Often used for art books.
Gnawed - Covers of edges of book are chewed-on,
usually by mice, although squirrels will also chew on books if given the
opportunity.
Good - Good describes the average used and worn
book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
Gouges - Nicks and holes in the cover of a book,
or in its spine.
Grangerized - See extra illustrated.
gt - See Gilt Edges
Gutter - The inner margin of a page (near the
spine) of a book. White space between facing pages.
Gutter Margin - The inner margin (adjoining the
spine) of a page.
H
Half Cloth - Paper-cover boards with he spine bound in cloth.
Half Leather - A term indicating that the spine
and the corners of a book are bound in leather, while the rest of the
binding may be cloth or paper. Also see Quarter Leather.
Half-Title - The page carrying nothing but the
title of the book, usually preceding the title page.
Half or Three-Quarters Binding - A book in which
the spine and corners (or spine and fore-edge) is covered in the specified
material, usually cloth, calf, morocco (i.e. goatskin - one of the best
book leathers).
Hand-colored - Of prints and illustrations, the
coloring of plates by hand in specialized ateliers.
Headband - A decorative cloth band, sometimes
colored or multi-colored, appearing inside the backstrip at the top (and
sometimes bottom) of the spine of a book.
Headpiece - Decorative ornament at the head of a
page.
Hinge - The joint (either outer or inner) of the
binding of a book - the part that bends when the book is opened.
Holograph - A term indicating the handwriting of
the author.
Hors Commerce - A portion of an edition not
offered for sale.
Hors Texte, versos blank (hvtb) - "Hors
texte" is French for "outside of the text", and the term
usually refers to plates, without printing on the reverse sides. The
plates may be tipped in to paper of a different stock from that of the
text.
hvtb - See Hors Texte, versos blank
Hypermodern - Collected first editions published
within last ten years or so. Most were published so recently that there is
no track record on author or book.
I
I - See Index.
Ill, Ills, Illus. - See Illustrated.
Illum - Referring to polychrome illustrations. It
usually means an illuminated manuscript.
Illustrated - Containing Illustrations.
Illustration - A design, picture, plate, plan,
diagram, chart, or map printed within the text.
Impression - A much misused term, but one that,
when accurately employed, means the copies printed during any given press
run. A first impression is a first edition.
Imprimatur - From the Latin "Let it be
printed." A statement of permission to print found in early printed
books, now largely confined to the Catholic Church as an indication that
the work contains no doctrinal error.
Imprint - The publisher's and/or printer's note
usually found at the bottom of the title page giving place, date and
publication information.
Incunabula - Books, pamphlets, calendars, and
indulgences printed before 1501.
Index -An alphabetical listing of names or topics
mentioned in the book, with their page numbers. For serials and journals,
the index is usually published after the volume is completed and is
usually found in the last issue.
India Paper - An extremely thin, yet relatively
opaque paper, used to help reduce the bulk of what would otherwise be a
book of unwieldy size.
insc -See Inscribed.
Inscribed - Distinguished from "signed"
in that the author has personalized the inscription rather than merely
signing his name. Inscribed copies are more valuable than signed ones when
the inscription is made out to a notable person or when, for example, the
writer's inscription includes original work such as a poem or drawing.
Insect Damage - Cloth binding where insect paths
are visible on covers.
Intaglio - The class of reproductive process to
which etching, engraving and mezzotint belong.
Integral -A leaf or page is said to be integral
when it is one that was sewn and bound into a book during its manufacture.
Interior - The inside pages of a book.
Interleaved -When blank leaves alternate with the
printed leaves a book is said to be interleaved.
Issue - Copies of a book made up from sheets of a
given printing but with the addition of (for instance) a new title-page.
I.P. - In print.
Issue - Synonymous with "state",
referring to the priority of copies within the first edition.
J
Jacket - The printed or
unprinted cover, usually paper, placed around the bound book. Sometimes
called dustjacket (dj), dustwrapper (dw), dust cover or book jacket.
Jansenist Binding - A binding with an austere
exterior, sometimes with elaborate doublures.
Japan Vellum - A smooth, glossy paper, made in
imitation of vellum, generally a light tan color.
Joint - The exterior junction of the covers and
spine of a book.
Juveniles - Books originally or primarily written
to be read by (or to) children.
Juvenilia - Work written when an author was
extremely young, often as a child.
L
l, ll - See Leaf.
Laid Down - Mounted to a blank. Sometimes used of
detached leaves.
Laid In - A letter or other sheet(s) inserted but
not glued into a book.
Laid paper - Paper made in or after the
traditional manner. Held to the light, such paper will display distinct
vertical or chain lines at wide spacing and narrowly spaced horizontal
laid lines.
Large Copy - Of early books, with margins
substantially uncut and untrimmed.
Large Paper - A portion of an edition issued on
paper with oversize margins for an effect of luxury.
Large Print - A book that is made with large type
for the visually impaired.
Leaf - A single sheet in a book; each leaf
contains two printed pages, one on each side.
Letterpress - Printing from metal type ("hot
metal)."
Levant - A variety of goatskin of high quality
used in bookbinding. It has a coarse grain and can take a high polish.
Library Binding - A type of cloth ordered by
libraries for books that will receive hard wear in circulation.
Limitation - Statement of edition size
- Limited Edition
- A book whose publication is restricted in number.
Limited editions are typically signed and numbered by the author and
have a colophon indicating the total number of books printed. Limited
editions whose print runs are short (1,000 or less) are considered
more desirable and lower numbered volumes of a limited run are
generally more desirable than their higher numbered volumes.
Limp -An adjective describing a flexible binding in
suede or imitation leather such as that used on the early titles of the
Modern Library. A leather binding which is not based on boards.
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.
Loose - When the hinges become loose. A loose
book will wobble in the hand as it is moved gently forward and back.
lp -Large-paper edition.
Ltd -See Limited Edition. |