boards : Common term for the covers of a hardbound book.

Marbled boards : A hardcover book with a decorative, multi-colored paper on the outside covering.

spine : The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf. Also known as the back.

8vo : Short for Octavo, A book whose page size is approximately 8-10 inches tall. The size is based on a sheet of paper 25 inches by 38 inches, the size of paper traditionally used by book printers, which has been folded and cut into 16 pages.. Unfortunately often misunderstood to mean 8 volumes.

vellum : A fine quality of parchment made from hide produced for binding or sometimes a writing surface. Sometimes used to describe paper which has been made to resemble true vellum.