Book Terminology
Common Descriptive Words
Association Copy Inscribed by the author to a collegue or famous person, sometimes inscribed by a famous or important person who is not necessarily the author.
Binding Copy The text block is complete, but the binding is either missing or beyond salvaging.
Blind Stamp An indentation left intentionally, usually in the rear cover.  Book Club editions are often blind stamped.
Chapbook a small book, often in pamphlet size
Deckle Edge Uneven and uncut edges;  pages not trimmed by the binder.
Duodecimo Refers to the size of the leaves.  One twelfth of a standard sheet of paper, or 12mo., is up to 7 3/8" (187mm) x 5"(127mm).  An uncommonly used term, but this has been the standard size of a book club edition, and recently of trade editions as well.
Edition Relates to the content and format of published matter.  A true first edition is the first published form of a given work.  A change in the substance, presentation, or publisher of the work may constitute a second edition.
Ephemera Printed matter by or related to an author that is not in book format, such as promotional materials or collected notes
Ex-Library Formerly owned by a lending library - expect markings, soil, and labels and/or a card pocket or damage from their removal.
Ex-Libris Formerly part of a large personal collection - possible bookplate or stamp.
First Thus Material that has been previously published, but presented for the first time in a new format, by a different publisher, or with updated text or illustrations.  A book presented for the first time in paperback, or a second edition first impression might be described this way.
Folio Refers to the size of the leaves.  One half the size of a standard sheet of paper, or up to 19" (483mm) x 12"(305mm).
Impression The number of printings of a given edition.  The impression number indicates how many print runs of a specific edition the publisher has produced.  It gives no account other editions or how many copies produced in a print run.
Laid In Not glued down
Octavo Refers to the size of the leaves.  An eighth of a standard sheet of paper, or 8vo., is up to 9" (229mm) x 6"(152mm).
Points Specific identifying features used to determine state, impression, edition, or authenticity.  For example, the location or existance of printing errors or a printed price.
Presentation Copy Association Copy.
Printing Impression
Proof A typeset manuscript which is likely to undergo minor or extensive editing before the final version is released.  These are unlikely to have art, gloss, or frills of any kind.
Reading Copy whole and sound, but not considered collectible at this time and in its current condition
Review Copy Sent to booksellers free of charge for promotional purposes.  These sometimes have laid in review notes.
State Variations in the presentation of a work which may help determine edition or impression.  These can be intentional changes, glitches that occur during printing, or the use of different materials or machinery based on what happened to be available at the time.
Unpaginated The pages are not numbered
Quarter bound The spine and boards immediately adjacent are covered with different material from the rest of the boards.  The material is usually specified: a "quarter leather" copy will have a leather covered spine and cloth or paper covered boards.
Quarto Refers to the size of the leaves.  A fourth of a standard sheet of paper, or 4vo., is up to 12" (305mm) x 9.5"(241mm).