If possible identify the book's date of publication. Complete the date fields - if you have identified the exact year of publication then put the same date into both fields. If you are unsure, you may to wish to search for books between two defined dates - eg 1870 and 1880. Dedication copy – One of the best types of association copies – one that is owned or inscribed to the person to whom the book is dedicated. Limited Edition – An edition issued in a stated, usually small, number of copies; the lower the number, the more valuable the copy. Endpapers – A single sheet, half of it pasted to the inside of the binding (the pastedown), and half forming a blank leaf at the beginning or end of the book (the front or rear free endpaper).

Rebound – The original binding of the book has been removed and a new binding has been attached and re-sewn. Mounted – An illustration can be mounted (as opposed to printed directly) on a blank sheet in a book. Bookplate – A label on the front pastedown or flyleaf or sometimes elsewhere in the book, used to mark ownership. Unless it is the book plate of a well-known person, this usually decreases the value of a book. Alternatively, a bookplate is sometimes signed by the author and then included in the book. While not as valuable as having the signature on the book itself, this can be a nice collectible.

🍪 Privacy & Transparency

Facsimile edition – An attempt (usually done much later) to reproduce as closely as possible the first edition of a famous book. Look inside the book and identify the book's publisher - complete the publisher field but leave out terms like limited, company or press. Clamshell case – A protective case with hinged side that securely retain the book within while permitting easy inspection, not necessarily (or often at the present) made from clam shells. Provenance – The history of ownership for a given copy of a book, manuscript or work of art. Often, indications of previous ownership are given by bookplates, inscriptions, special bindings and similar features. An especially noteworthy provenance may add substantial value to a book. Covers – The everyday term for the covered boards of a book. The front and rear surface of a binding, as opposed to the spine. These may be composed of card, wood or other materials, covered by cloth, paper or leather.

Ephemera – An item that was usually created for reading and then subsequent disposal. Examples include letters, advertisements, magazines and newspapers. Colophon – A printed statement at the end of the book stating usually the title of the book, the publisher and or printer, and the place and date of publication. Review Copy – A copy of a book sent out for review prior to publication. Review copies may be marked by a note on an endpaper or flyleaf (rare today), or by a slip of paper inserted into the book, which is more common at present. Foxing – A patchy discoloration found in the paper of old books that have been improperly stored or exposed to high humidity. It can range from barely visible to quite unsightly. The name may derive from the fox-like reddish-brown color of the stains, or the rust chemical Ferric Oxide which may be involved. Paper so affected is said to be “foxed.” Although a negative factor in the value of the item for collectors, foxing does not affect the actual integrity of the paper. Very Good – A description of condition implying some slight wear. A book so described would usually be acceptable to all but the most condition-conscious of collectors.

Browning – An overall discoloration found in the paper of some old books, sometimes due to the decomposition of the paper coating. Bindings – A term generally used in the antiquarian book world to mean Fine Bindings, of which there are numerous styles. Some examples include Antique, Cambridge Style, La Greque, Dos-A-Dos, Etruscan, and Spanish Calf. Bumped – Refers to the corners or spine ends of a book that has been damaged by being dropped, or carelessly handled or shelved.

Prelims (preliminaries) – Any material that precedes the main text of the book. Prelims are usually set and printed after the main text; they are numbered with lower-case Roman numerals (rather than Arabic numerals) so that any late changes to the content or extent of the prelims do not affect the pagination of the text. Ex-Library – Previously owned by a public lending library, and usually accompanied by the usual library stamps, marks, etc. These are generally not valued by collectors.

Antique Popularity

State – Minor changes made to a portion of the edition during the manufacturing stage and before all of the books were complete and released. The changes can be intentional. For example, a different state may be caused by a correction in the text or illustrations, an insertion of cancels or advertisements, or a different paper used without the intention of creating a separate issue. The changes can also be accidental; for example, a variation in the text or illustrations might occur during the printing. The term does not refer to condition.