Book Terms

DJ or DW:  Dust Jacket or Dust Wrapper.  The printed wrapper that is folded around the book. These began as plain wrappers to protect the book inside. The book itself was usually ornately styled. These dust jackets became more elaborate and became a way to promote the book inside.  In modern book collecting, an original dust jacket is treasured. In many cases, the dust jacket can represent 70 to 80% of the total value of a first edition or important book. Dust Jackets are usually most important for Fiction.

HB/HC: Hardback/Hardcover

PB: Paperback

ISBN: International Standard Book Number is found on the back of most books in the UPC (Universal Product Code). It can also be found on the page facing the introduction/dedication/title page.

Boards: The front and back covers of a hardcover book; the stiff portions of a binding with a final cover of paper.

Foxed, Foxing: Refers to the discoloration, usually a yellowish brown, that appears on old paper . These can be caused by chemical impurities in the paper or bacteria and mold. These can affect all books but some paper is more susceptible.

Dog-Ear, Dog-Earred:  The turned-down corner of a book page - don't do this to your books, please use a bookmark.

Remainder Mark:  The ink mark, large or small, often red or black, found on the book's edges. No doubt publishers haver their reasons for befouling books with these marks.

Edgewear:  Catchall term referring to usually modest damage to book's edges.

Spine: The spine is the backbone of a book. Because this is all you usually see when a book is on a shelf it usually has the title and author listed and can be quite ornate. The top is called the head and the base is the tail.

FE: First Edition. Quite hard to tell even if it says First Edition. It may be a U.S. first edition but not a world first edition, for example. Also, it may be a paperback first edition etc. but not a hardback edition. Since World War II, books often include a number line (printers key) that indicates the print run.