Book Terminology, Condition & Scarcity

BOOK TERMINOLOGY:

Dust Jacket (aka: Dustjacket, Dust Cover, Wrapper) ~ Cover, often illustrated, that is wrapped around the book itself.  Often paper but sometimes other materials are used.

Boards ~ This term refers to the heavy cardboard which covers the front and back of the book and is covered in cloth, leather or other material.

Paperback (aka: Softcover, Trade Paperback, Wraps or Paper Back) ~ A book bound with a paper cover.  The usual abbreviations are "PB" and "TPB".  TPB designating sizes from 5"x 8" and up. 

Hardcover (aka: Hardbacks, Hard Bound, Hard Covers) ~ A book that is bound with boards covered in cloth, leather or other material.  The usual abbreviation is "HC". 

Book Club Edition (aka: Book Club) - Typically less expensive than publisher or trade editions, however, some are published with different dust jackets covering the trade editions.  Some classics can be very hard to come by in Book Club Editions and can be quite collectible.

ARC (aka: Advance Reading Copy, Uncorrected Proofs, Publisher's Proof) ~ These books are sent out prior to publication to help promote a book to bookshops and reviewers.  Often bound as paperbacks in slick laminated covers or cardstock. These books generally carry information about intendeded publication format, date and other details.

BOOK CONDITION:

VERY FINE, AS NEW or VF ~ Book is in the same condition as when it was issued by the publisher with no defects or marks and a perfect dust jacket if issued with one.  VF books are relatively uncommon, and most Booksellers use Fine as their highest condition.

FINE or F ~ Fine is slightly less than perfect.  A recent book should have no notable defects at all but may have a dust jacket with a small closed tear or have very light rubbing and/or edgewear.

NEAR FINE or NF ~ Somewhere between Very Good and Fine. The distinction is usually in the eye of the bookseller and involves minor defects (which must be described). Near Fine is generally meant to inform the customer that the book's condition is excellent but "not quite Fine".

VERY GOOD or VG ~ Very Good can describe a used book that shows shelfwear and visible signs of having been read. Its dustjacket may be rubbed, chipped, or even missing small pieces, but it should generally be clean and bright, depending on how old it is.  The book should always be clean and tight, and the overall appearance should be of a desirable copy. 

GOOD or G ~ Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. A Good book may be cocked, have loose joints, and be missing a dustjacket. But it must be complete, clean, and worth keeping.

FAIR ~ Fair describes a worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which would be noted).  The binding, spine, and dust jacket may also be worn or even torn & repaired.

POOR ~ Poor describes a book that is worn that is typically kept for reading purposes.  May be heavily soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. 

EX-LIBRARY or EX-LIB ~ Ex-lib books have the markings of being part of a public or general purpose library, with labels, stamps and/or card pockets.  Typically used for reading purposes.

BOOK SCARCITY:

COMMON ~ A common book is one that is readily available for purchase, often with hundreds or thousands on the market at one time.

SCARCE ~ A scarce book is one of which an unknown number of copies exist, but which turns up from time to time. 

RARE ~ A rare book is one of which very few copies still exist, and which is almost never found outside libraries or existing collections.  Booksellers may see a rare book every 5-10 years.