Quick Definitions to help you get to know books “inside and out”

 

In General

Rare Book	When few copies of a book are known to exist, it is called rare.
First Edition	The first printing of a book, valued by collectors because it is the original version of the author’s text.
Best Seller	A book that has sold in comparatively large numbers and at a rapid pace.
Classic	In the traditional sense of the term, a classic book is one written in ancient Greece or ancient Rome. The word classic can also be applied to literature widely considered a model of its form. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_book
Association copy	A book that was either owned by its author, or someone connected to the author, or involved in the contents of the book. It may refer to a book annotated by the author.
Autographed Copy	A book that is signed by the author.

 

The Ins

	Leaves	Each sheet of paper is a leaf.
	Title Page	The page at the front of a book that lists the title, subtitle, author, and other contributors such as translator or illustrator. It may also contain the publishing house and its logo.
	Pages	Each side of a leaf is a page.
	Bookplate	A label pasted in a book that names the owner or donor.
	Front Matter	The pages before the text (title page, etc.).
	Back Matter	The pages following the text (index, etc.).
	Errata	A list of errors and misprints in the text of a book. The list might be printed on a bound page in the book or on a separate piece of paper that is pasted or laid in the book.
	Frontispiece	An illustration that usually faces the title page.
	Verso	The back of the leaf; the page that lies to the left in an open book. Versos are the even-numbered pages.
	Recto	The front of the leaf; the page that lies to the right in an open book.
	Text	The basic information, or core of a book.

 

The Outs

Dust Jacket	The paper cover.
Cover or case	The outside binding.
Backstrip	The covering of the book spine that has the title and author of the book printed on it. It is usually made of cloth, leather, or paper, and is sometimes decorated.
Spine	The backbone of the book.