The Tommyknockers

Glossary

tight

Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.

jacket

Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...[more]

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....[more]

G

Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted. (as defined...[more]

number line

A series of numbers appearing on the copyright page of a book, where the lowest number generally indicates the printing of that...[more]

chipping

A defect in which small pieces are missing from the edges; fraying or small pieces of paper missing the edge of a paperback, or...[more]

good+

A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.

Cloth

"Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...[more]

First Edition

In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...[more]

octavo

Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...[more]

fine

A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...[more]

price clipped

When a book is described as price-clipped, it indicates that the portion of the dust jacket flap that has the publisher's...[more]