Se Ark

Se Ark

Se Ark

Se Ark

Addition catalogue, an older form of register of a collection, where the books are registered in the order they are purchased for the collection.

Agate marble. Cheap, glossy paper, most often minted as "veins" in marble and in two colors, light and dark. The marbling is created by splashes of color on the wet paper.

Used about the book's content - the pages are brown or yellow stained. There can be many reasons for this. but is usually due to a chemical process caused by moisture. In recent times (1960 - 1980s, a number of Danish editions are seen yellow-stained - not because of age, but because the paper quality has been poor). See also Gulplettet spot or Brunplettet.

Aldinere is the term for books printed by Aldus Manutius and his successors (1494-1597). The founder was Aldus Manutius (1450-1515). He started his printing house in Venice in 1490 and over the years issued a long series of classics that became famous not only for their careful text, often with learned commentary, but also for their excellent execution in terms of printing techniques. In 1501 he began to publish books set in italics and thus introduced this writing into the typography. Aldus also made a pioneering effort in the history of book binding, as he used cardboard instead of wood for the covers in his book binding shop. The printing house existed until 1597, when Aldus' grandson died.

The designation indicates that the planned following volumes of the work have never been published.

Bookbinding done by a person without much knowledge of the bookbinding craft. The person has attended an evening school course for one or more seasons and should perhaps have taken a few more seasons! The good intention rarely corresponds to the quality of the book binding.

Book sent to the medias before publication with the request for publicity/review. Review copies are usually provided with a stamp From the Publisher or similar.

Business that deals in books and graphics from all eras. Many antique dealers specialize in certain areas. Old books, modern first editions, graphics, etc. the possibilities are endless. The company can have a shop with sales to the public, shop via mail order catalogs or the Internet. Some even share all three options.

Antiquarian Catalogue. Sales catalogs from antiquariat sellers. Catalogs range from stock listings to catalogs with detailed bibliographic information, which can subsequently be used as reference literature.

Collection of poetry or prose. From Greek anthos, flower, and le'gein, gather.

An antiquarian bookseller can say of a worn copy of the second edition of Salmonsen's Lexicon in 26 volumes that it is suitable as a working or utility copy.

Sheet, sheet signature. 

When the book is to be stapled and bound, the sheet must first be folded.
A printed sheet can be folded/folded into a number of leaves, usually 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64, in such a way that the printed pages come one after the other in pagination order. A book consists of one or more sheets - in this context called sheets - they are assembled and stapled in order according to the sheet signatures. A sheet signature is the number or letter printed on the first right-hand side of each printing sheet in a book to indicate and assist in getting the book's folds together in the correct order.

A: Books whose spine height is between 15 and 25 cm are said to be in octave, which is written 8vo - but as this is the normal height for books today, this designation is omitted.
B: Books whose spine height is between 25 and 35 cm are said to be in quarto, which is written 4to.
C: Books whose spine height is between 35 and 45 cm are said to be in folio, which is written folio.
D: Books whose height is less than the width are said to be in t transverse format, which is written: Cross-8vo - Cross-4to - Cross-folio.

In older books, each sheet has a letter signature beginning with A and, depending on the thickness of the book, growing up to Z. For example, in an octavo book, the first leaf of the sheet is designated A, the second leaf A2, the third leaf A3. fourth A4, and then usually A5 to A8. The sheet signature was primarily intended for the bookbinder. It is important when collating an old book, where the pagination can often be incorrect. In modern books, sheet signatures do not occur. However, sheet numbering was in use until approx. 1970.

Association copy. Book or manuscript with dedication, handwritten corrections, addendum, ex-libris, enclosed letters, or anything else that demonstrates a connection with a known or relevant person in the context.

Collection of maps or images, both as a topographical description and as a map used professionally.

An ugly pen name in a book is not usually appreciated by book collectors. An older surname is not considered as derogatory, on the contrary, it can be an advantage, especially if it originates from a well-known person, from the author or someone close to the author, it can even increase the value of the book.

Authorized edition. Edition approved by the author. From Latin auctor - author, originator.

Paper strip with printed text, placed for advertising purposes as a banner around the book. A typical banner text might read: Winner of this year's Nobel Prize.

The famous English calligrapher and letterpress printer John Baskerville (1706-1775) cut some typefaces - Baskerville Antikva, which, thanks to their clean and clear forms, gained wide circulation all over the world. The script was created in 1756.

Limited edition. Indication of the size of the circulation of a book, with the addition of the exact number of copies in which it is printed. In bibliophile editions, the number is often added in handwriting.

Collection of Old and New Testament writings. Appears all the way back from the infancy of the printing art as a printed book in countless editions all over the world. The first complete Danish Bible is Christian III's Bible which was published in 1550. It is valuable, which cannot be said of e.g. utility Bibles from the 19th century, which were published in very large editions from around the 1740s onwards.

Bibliophile. A term for a book lover, book collector. From Greek biblion, book, and filos, friend.

Bibliophile editions. Book edition in a finer device, often issued as a partial edition of the ordinary edition printed on special paper in a limited numbered edition, often signed, possibly set and bound by hand and often provided with (signed) illustrations and graphics. The term has not infrequently been misused by less fussy publishers.

Bibliography. It is partly the teaching of how to scientifically draw up a correct description of books for the purpose of preparing a bibliography or a catalogue, which contains a complete description with a number of fixed information about the book; partly the systematic bibliography itself. A bibliography must contain as complete a physical description as possible of each individual book or print.

En sygelig besathed af bøger. En biblioman kan finde på både at stjæle og myrde for at få fat på bøger, men som oftest viser galskaben sig ved et manisk samleri, hvor bogens indlemmelse i samlingen er det eneste der tæller. Boghistorien kender til mange eksempler på skrækkelige bibliomaner; et eksempel er teologen Johann Tinius (1764-1846), der blev massemorder for at skaffe penge til sine bogindkøb. I litteraturen er dette ofte beskrevet med mere eller mindre satiriske under- og overtoner, til stor moro og manende eftertanke for de læsende bogsamlere.

En boksamlare som inte lånar ut sina böcker, en bokbegravare. Ett roligt ord, men har någon någonsin använt det?

Library. Used partly for the room or building in which book collections are stored - partly for the collection itself. A distinction is made between public and private libraries. Some public libraries can exist thanks to private donations. Antiquarian booksellers would naturally prefer to see the books offered for sale to the public.

Pronounced Bibb-lis. The Association Biblis, formed in 1998 through the merger of the Association for Book Crafts and the Society of Bokvännerna. Publishes the magazine Biblis, a magazine for book history, bibliography, bookcraft and collecting. A club of friends of royal library.

Page without print - as part of the print sheet. Often referred to as a freeleaf or flyleaf, it is the first unprinted leaf between a book's title page and page 1 of the book, as well as between the last printed page and the rear title page. The front page is a sheet of paper, often marbled or decorated, possibly of silk or thin leather, which is inserted at the front and back of the book when the book is bound and which connects the book block with the book binding

Blind stamped. Book binding decoration made with stamps - without gilding. The decorations can be seen as depressions in the binding side.

Book auction. Sale of books at auction to the highest bidder. The material is offered using catalogs and nowadays on the Internet. Older auction catalogs are occasionally used as a reference for the books' provenance (previous ownership).

The bookbinder's work assembles the printed sheets into the final form the book takes. Before the binding, there is a long series of considerations regarding the final expression, materials and what purpose the book should end up having. In Denmark, the craft was really lifted up in the best circles when the xylographer F. Hendriksen started working for lifting the quality of the book's, both in binding, paper choise and typography in Denmark, strongly inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement from England, led by William Morris. Jacob Baden, Anker Kyster, Petersen & Petersen, August Sandgren and Ole Olsen can be mentioned among the best bookbinders in Denmark. For further reading, you can advantageously follow this link: Bogbinding i Danmark.

Bookbinders signature. Some bookbinders sign their bindings either in the form of a small label or stamp on the inside of the front or back cover.

Burning of Books. A drastic form of censorship. Used as early as 213 BC by China's Emperor Shi Huangdi, who, among other things, had the writings of Confucius burned. The Nazis also tried to limit freedom of speech by burning books written by people who did not fit the Nazi philosophy.

Book format. See Ark.

A company that deals with the retail sale of new books that are delivered from the publishers. From the German Buchladen.

Book worm. Common term for various larvae and insects. They subsist by munching on books in damp environments, by eating the glue substances in the paper. In Denmark, silverfish (silverfish) is the most widespread.
Bookworm is used, sometimes pejoratively, for a person whose greatest passion is reading or spending time with books.

Book collector. The term is used interchangeably for people who are interested in literature. Some collect authorships in first editions, others collect subjects, editions, genres or bindings. The collecting areas are legion (Antiquarian booksellers value them all!)

Book mover. Used for laymen who, through their detailed knowledge of books, can make a living by finding books from private individuals or in second-hand shops and selling them at a higher price. Some of these end up as antiquarian booksellers.

Small pasted label on the front, sometimes back, inside of the cover with the bookbinder's company name. A bookbinder can also sign his work, or stamp it.

Used Books. The expression "used books" is often associated with negative associations within the antiquarian bookselling industry. This leads to the thought of relatively new popular literature with a fast turnover and suggests that the bookseller in question deals in trivial literature of poor quality. Another connotation could be that it refers to the condition of the book, and all used books are therefore in poor condition.

(Age spots) means that (- Used about the book's content -) the pages are brown or yellow stained. There can be many reasons for this - but it is usually due to a chemical process caused by moisture. In recent times (1960 - 1980s, a number of Danish editions are seen yellow-stained - not because of age, but because the paper quality has been poor). See Brunplettet or Age spots.

Uppsala University Library, founded in 1620.

Throughout the ages, the authorities have tried to stop the spread of various forms of literature - by limiting, confiscating or banning the expressions. In an antiquarian context, such editions as have survived these attempts are interesting. In recent times, Hans Jæger's "Syk Kjærlihet" and Broby Johansen's "Blod" are good examples.

Chiseled edges. Books with single or multi-page gold section, in which a pattern is pressed with stamps.

The form of book that, in the 4th century, replaced the papyrus scrolls and which consisted of several joined wooden tablets (later parchment leaves). Used today mostly for older handwritten books and collections of writings, such as i Codex argenteus.

The "Silver Bible", a magnificent and precious manuscript from the 5th century containing the four Gospels in Ulfila's Gothic translation. Written with gold and silver letters on purple parchment, bound in one volume of drifted silver. It was probably spoils of war from the Thirty Years' War, is now in the University Library in Uppsala and is an important document about the culture and language of the Goths. See more about it here: Codex Argenteus

Inscribed copy. Book or other printed matter in which the author has written an inscription in his own hand. A longer dedication from one interesting person to another can often increase the book's value. The inscription To Poul from Klaus Rifbjerg, Christmas -81 can almost be regarded as a so-called advertising signature, see also Signeret eksemplar.

A book where the binding is in pieces or where pages or boards are missing is described as defective.

In the antiquarian context, the term dentelle is usually used for a decorative lacy pattern on the book binding. The term dentelle intérieure is a similar decoration along the edges of the inside of the book cover.

A list of wanted books addressed to an antiquarian bookshop from a customer. Popularly called Search List. Many antique shops accept search lists. At www.antikvariat.net the search lists are processed electronically. See also Søgeliste.

The published. The designation indicates that the planned following volumes of the work have not been published. For example, due to the death of the author or for financial reasons.

Academic thesis/disputation/doctoral thesis. (Latin: Dissertatio: Discussion). Abbreviated: disp.

The Devils Bible. Well-preserved parchment manuscript from the 13th century. Very large format (89 x 49 cm.) contains e.g. a grotesque image of the devil. Located at the Royal Library in Stockholm. Was taken as war booty by the Swedes during the storming of Prague in 1648. Read more here: Codex Gigas

duodecimo (12mo), see Ark.

First printed edition/edition. (Formerly only about manuscripts) Now used about the oldest printed editions of ancient and medieval books.

The leaves that in a bound book unite the back cover and the insert.

In demand. Term used for certain books that are in demand. Usually because the publishers have not yet reprinted the work in question. Not to be confused with the term rare.

Common paperback book published by the Elzevier family of printers and publishers in the 17th century. The Swedish doctor Gustaf Berghman (l836-1910) donated his outstanding collection of Elzevier prints, around 2300 volumes and one of the largest in existence, to the royal library.

Correction sheet. After printing, the publisher occasionally finds errors in the text and then adds a list of these. Often seen in the form of an added page or printed on one of the last pages of the book. The last solution is usually the cheapest for the publisher. Erratum is Latin for misunderstanding, Errata the same in the plural.

Printed matter on single sheets with completed text; usually printed on one side only. For example. letters of indulgence, leaflets, posters, grants.

Church handbook with the parts of the Gospels that are read at the service. Often issued together with a hymnal in a uniform binding.

Book owner mark. A way to indicate that the book in question belongs to a certain person. Usually in the form of a stuck-on label or stamp. Bookplates are often designed by (more or less well-known) artists and, if correctly placed, should be placed slightly below the center on the inside of the front cover, but can also be seen placed on one of the first pages of the book. Individual collectors have a "Superexlibris" produced, which is placed on the binder of the volume, outside or inside or on the spine either in gold or blind printing. From Latin: ex libris of nn's book collection.

Summaries, extracts or single pages/articles of printed work. Not to be confused with Særtryk (see this).

(facsimile edition, facsimile). Often a photographic reproduction of an old edition of books, manuscripts or letters that are no longer available to the public.

Book in folio format. Also used of a large heavy book in general. See Ark

(fol., 2vo), See Ark

Painting under the gold on the front cut, only seen clearly when the cut is bent. English invention - used especially in the 18th century.

The association became the diocese d. 26 February 1888 by the xylographer Frederik Hendriksen (1847-1938). Hendriksen was a professionally engaged and dynamic personality who was very active in the book and magazine industry. He got an article in Politiken, where he gives the whole subject a detailed and scathing critique of both the books' typographical and aesthetic equipment as well as their purely book-technical qualities. The article became the direct reason for the founding of the Association for Boghaandværk.

You can read a longer version of the association's history by clicking here.  And see the association's website here: www.boghaandvaerk.dk

Formed in 1900 with the aim of spreading and increasing interest in bookcraft. Arranged study visits to famous libraries in Sweden and abroad and published the annual Biblis from 1957 to 1996. Since 1998 transformed into the Association Biblis. See Biblis.

Part of the original edition sent free to booksellers before final publication - in the hope that they would then order a few more copies. The cover is often different from the final version. Not to be confused with Anmeldereksemplar

The publisher's series-produced original binding. See also Privatbind.

It is a sheet of paper, often marbled or decorated, possibly of silk or thin leather, which when the book is bound is inserted at the front and back of the book and which connects the book block with the book binding.

First edition in Danish of a translated book.

The publisher's first printing of the book. See Udgave

Variant av gotisk bokstavsform, första gången använd i en tysk bönbok från 1512.

Denotes the unprinted page between a book's title page and page 1 of the book, as well as between the last printed page and the rear title page.

Image/illustration that is placed directly in front of the title page - in older books often a copper plate (planche) placed directly opposite the title page.

Used for blank or lined pages inserted between the printed pages, to allow the user to enter their own notes. Common in e.g. pedigrees/family books.

Common term for illustrations that are part of a book (or taken from it). The designation Original graphics assumes that the illustration in question is printed as an original woodcut, lithograph, copperplate or similar. Photographic reproductions of the above are NOT original graphics.

See Omslag

Impression from an engraved, etched or copperplate.

Book binding executed for the book collector Jean Grolier (1479-1565). His famous bookplate bears the text: Io. Grolierii et amicorum".

Book binding with gold printed decoration.

The cut edges of a book are called cuts. If these cuts are provided with gold leaf, they are called 1-2 or three-sided gilded cuts. The same edges can be provided with colored or marbled cuts. All for decoration purposes.

Spots - often in the form of small brown dots. Occurs as a result of a self-reinforcing chemical process in certain paper types. Especially books printed between 1820 and 1890. See also Aldersplettet og Brunplettet.

Johann Gutenberg (c. 1397-1468) invented around 1440 an instrument for casting loose type that enabled him to produce many uniform loose typefaces. Gutenberg is known as the father of printing. And his Bible, the Gutenberg Bible, is one of the world's most expensive books. Read more about Gutenberg here.

Artificial leather binding (shinier than shirting) - corresponds to today's expression Hardback - but only the back is fablea.

Spine and half of the covers, as well as corners are covered with leather. Often the back is with gold or blind printed decoration and gold or marbled cut. On half-leather bindings, the skin only goes about 2-3 cm. onto the covers.

Volume that is covered with canvas on the spine and a few centimeters into the front and back covers of the volume. Also called Half shirting binding, from the English term for canvas. See Halvshirtingbind

Halvshirtingbind is the English name for what is called Halvlærredsbind in Danish (see that term)

Hand colored. Used for illustrations where the colors have been applied by hand.

Written by hand. Document or book written by hand. Ancient literature (before Gutenberg) was written by hand and thus preserved for posterity.

Binding made by court bookbinder Gustaf Hedberg, or by his company. He opened his workshop in 1886 and soon became the leading one in Sweden.

Threaded book. The back is sewn and this together with the gluing to the back makes it extra durable. The term is used interchangeably today for glued/bound books.

Faux leather binding (shinier than shirting) - corresponds to our present term Hardback.

Books where leather is used on the spine and covers. 

International Association of National Antiquarian Book Dealers' Associations. Formed in 1947. ILAB works for a high ethical standard among its members and Danish antiquarian booksellers have been involved from the start. ILAB regularly compiles a worldwide membership directory. More information at www.ilab.org

Latin for "Let it press"- Used in two contexts. If the censor approves the book's content and if the author writes Must be printed on the last proofread extract.

Binding copy. Description of books that need a new binding. In the real estate context, the term is used a "loving hand" or "handiman offer". Binding copies differ from this by having all original loose parts intact, but that the binding is either defective or perhaps completely or partially absent.

Bound. Used as a collective term for hardcover books of any kind. As a rule, publisher's volumes.

Table of Contents, an alphabetically ordered list of the book's contents.

Content (matter). In an antiquarian context, the content (the material/book block) is often in fine condition, while the binding is worn. The content (material/book block) is thus the pure book - without binding.

Incunabula. Books printed from around 1450 to 31/12 1500 or even the year 1500. First book printed in Denmark, was printed in Odense 1482, also called cradle printing.

In catalogues, one often comes across the remark Inte hos ... alternatively inte i ... which means that the book in question is not, as one might expect, found in this or that recognized bibliography or catalogue, which is why it is presumed to be something of a so far undiscovered rarity and therefore also commands a higher price.

See Gennemskudt.

Any part of a book that replaces what was originally printed in the book. It can be a strip pasted over a row or, most commonly, a whole leaf or sheet replacing the original leaf that was removed.

is the hand-sewn or woven strip attached to the top or bottom of the book's spine that lines up with the cut.

Kapitäl, är den handsydda eller vävda list som fästs upptill eller nedtill i bokens rygg i jämnhöjd med snittet.

Collective term for cheap pad types. Often called hardback. See also Papirbind.

Samlingsterm för billigare bandtyper i enkelt utförande. Idag är det typiska kartonnagebandet en plastlaminerad massupplaga av en bestseller.

Cardboard box or case for extra protection of the book.

Sweden's national library, added in the 17th century with the libraries of Swedish kings and private collectors as a basis.

(Ink blops) Unintentional decorations of book pages are known from the time of quills and fountain pens. Such items do not add additional value to the book, unless it can be documented that the clutter is of distinguished provenance.

Not uncommon in books. Very rarely uplifting. Famous scribbles are the notes Erik XIV kept in his books during his prison stay.

Copperplates. An impression from a pierced copper plate.

Se Codex

By reviewing an old book's sheet and page numbers, inserted maps, plates, illustrations, etc., you can determine whether the book is complete or not.
Derived from the Latin term collatio, comparison/comparison, and is performed by the antiquarian bookseller comparing the book with a similar one. Often in the form of information from a bibliography, if you do not have a basis for comparison. Old books should always be collated - especially illustrated books - to be sure they are complete.

Colophon. Contains bibliographical and/or book technical information about a book, often placed on the back of the title page or on the last page of the book. In the 16th century, often placed on the last printed page or after the most important part of the book. Today, the colophon is used to identify the place of printing, the year of printing and, if necessary, who was involved in the organization of the book.

Note in an antiquarian catalog with a view to stimulating interest in the book. Everything from scientific investigations to impressionistic whims.

Condition, see Stand.

19th-century term for a reference work with alphabetically arranged information that could be used in educated conversation. Not to be confused with a Preservation Lexicon, properly called a Housewife Lexicon.

A collection of Maps or Atlases

An immediately below the last line of a book page, printed word, or part of a word, with which the following page begins. Used in older times and is an important aid for the collation of a book.

See Ark

Also called full cloth binding (entirely bound in canvas or cloth). Book binding in some form of cotton - from the English Cloth (clothing). A distinction is made between half-canvas bindings (with canvas on the spine and the corners of the binding) and bindings with a canvas spine.

Spots often in the form of small brown dots. Occurs as a result of a self-acting chemical process in certain types of paper.  Especially common in books printed between 1820 and 1890.

La Ligue International de la Librarie - International Association of National Antiquarian Bookseller Associations. Formed in 1947. LILA/ILAB works for a high ethical standard among its members. The Danish Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABF) has been involved from the start. LILA/ILAB prepares a worldwide membership directory at regular intervals. More information at www.ilab.org

Has replaced stapling as the dominant method of joining book pages in the spine. A major contributing factor to new books being easily converted into loose-leaf systems (see this)

Lithograph, from the Greek lithos, stone, and graphein, to write. Put very simply, the method is based on the color-emitting areas on the lithographic stone being oily and the others moist. The color settles exclusively on the bold areas and is transferred from here to the paper. Today, the term is used somewhat loosely - very few lithographic prints are real lithographs.

Used humorously of books where almost all pages have been detached from the spine. Especially common among paperbacks. Or bound books that are printed on too hard paper.

Enstaka del i avsaknad av den andra eller de andra delar som skulle göra den till en del av ett komplett verk. Sparas i ett fåfängt hopp om att någon gång lokalisera andra, kompletterande lösdelar.

An extra durable paper mainly made from textile rags. Until the beginning of the 19th century, all paper was made from rags. In the context of books, rag paper is mostly used today for more exclusive editions.

Handwritten or otherwise produced text, after which something must be printed.

Designation for the outer paper edges that surround the typographical image/text. Margins are filled in between with more or less relevant additions in ink or pencil. Large margins in the right proportions are a typographic and book artistic ideal - but can rarely be realized due to the price of the paper. The golden ratio is used in letterpress when determining the height and width of the paper format and page size, when determining the margin conditions.

Used for the book's cut, cover paper and loose leaves, which are decorated with colored imitations of marble or wood (veining). The decoration is applied to the paper or cut with liquid paint. Read more on paper marbling here.

High quality goat skin, originally from Morocco. Used for binding (maroquin binding) and often dyed in bright colours.

The designation for books in very small formats. The oldest miniature book is in the size 43x28 ​​mm printed in Naples 1486. ​​In Denmark, the earliest miniature books were issued in the 18th century.

Writing that deals with a single, limited topic, a single person, a single case, etc. Most often used in connection with art books, where a single piece of art is treated and interpreted.

A pen name in a book is not usually appreciated by book collectors. An older surname is not considered as derogatory, on the contrary, it can be an advantage, especially if it originates from a well-known person, from the author or someone close to the author, it can even increase the value of the book.

In a limited edition, each individual copy is often numbered. The number can be handwritten or stamped. A numbered book is not automatically valuable.

Original Price - The price of the book when it was published.

See Ark (Sheet)

This has become increasingly important to collectors and researchers as it can contain interesting information. Original editions with well-preserved front and back covers can be much more valuable compared to the same book without a cover. In older times, books were often published with a protective cover of gray paper. At the end of the 18th century they were replaced with printed covers, this became even more common in the 19th century, in the second half almost the norm. English and American books with perfect dust jackets - bring huge premiums even for modern books. See also Dust Jacket (Smudsomslag).

Raised crossbands on book spine. Achieved by placing string or leather strips under the leather covering, as opposed to the 'fake bindings' that are artificially produced for decoration purposes.

See edition (Udgave)

Usual designation of publisher's binding. A contemporary binding is not necessarily an original binding.

See edition (Udgave)

When a paperback is also a first edition.

När en pocketbok samtidigt är en originalupplaga.

Page numbering. The numbering of the pages in a book or document. Contrary to foiling, where the individual leaves/sheets are numbered.

These books are often in pocket format, approx. 18x10 cm. Was launched in the USA in the late 1930s. Today, the term is used somewhat interchangeably for unbound books, where you cannot see the individual booklet sheets.

Book binding where the covers and spine are completely covered with paper/cardboard. (Often called cardboard bindings).

See Exlibris

In the Middle Ages, parchment, made from goat, sheep or calf skin that is scraped and treated with lime water, chalk and pumice, was what was written on - the parchment replaced papyrus and was replaced by paper at the end of the Middle Ages.

Book binding made of parchment. Made from goat, sheep or calf skin which is scraped and treated with lime water, chalk and pumice.

Used for eg periodicals and yearbooks that are published at regular intervals.

Front cover and back cover: the pieces of cardboard that make up the front and back of the book.

Used for the edition of a book which is published without the author's permission.

A work which has illustrations or plates in a separate volume and the text in another.

En lågprisbok i fickformat (normalt 18,5 x 10,5 cm) med mjuka pärmar och ofta grafiskt slagkraftigt omslag. Efter billighetsserien Pocket-Books som startades 1939 i USA. Lanseras vanligen som en serie, t.ex. Penguin Classics, Delfinserien, MånPocket, PAN etc.

Often called "private half leather binding", private full leather binder. Volumes that are bound in a different way than the original publisher's binding and that have been created by the bookbinder especially for the specific book.

A printed text produced in a limited edition and not intended for sale in bookstores.

Printed plan, brochure with an overview of the contents of a planned work. Is sent from the publisher to the bookseller as advertising material. From the Latin prospectus - view.

Used for a book where it can be documented that it previously belonged to, for example, Tycho Brahe or Dan Turéll. The documentation can consist of the person's exlibris, name or records being in the book.

Published under a name other than the author's own, for example Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) - or two authors' common pseudonym Marianne Kainsdatter (Svend Åge Madsen & Frue).

When the raw edge is not cut but just smoothed.

Rare. When an author's works are easy to sell (and often difficult to obtain) this term is used. For example, Dan Turell's books are in demand - while Leck Fischer's are more difficult to sell. See Sjælden.

Untrimmed and untreated cuts where the edges of the sheet are intact. Not to be confused with uncut. See this.

Sent to reviewers and provided with a review stamp on the dust title, title page, top cut, front cut, or footer cut. Sometimes without the hard covers.

The part of a book's circulation which, despite book sales and other sales efforts, is still left over and is therefore sold cheaply in lots - instead of being shredded.

Limited edition of an article or a chapter from a book or journal, which is provided with its own cover and bound separately and occasionally additionally with its own pagination and numbering. A special edition is often motivated by a researcher's need to share his results, published in collective publications and therefore often difficult to find, to friends and colleagues.

Founded in 1946 with the aim of stimulating interest in reading, book art and book collecting. Published a large number of books and pamphlets and published the magazine Bokvännen (1946-1996). See also Biblis.

When an author's works are particularly sought after by book collectors, the author in question is said to be "collected". Ex: "Dan Brown is not very collectible, but William Shakespeare is."

Used for the number of books the publisher was aware of at the time of publication. Opposite this is the concept of selected works - which are the editor's selected excerpts from the author's work. When the antiquary talks about J.P. Jacobsen's Collected Writings in 2 volumes, it does not mean that all the written words are included - in fact, 5 volumes were published later, in which the letters are also included. The same applies to H. C. Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard.

Book binding (often half-leather binding) produced simultaneously with or shortly after the printing of the book.

Individual volumes in a series or work that lacks one or more volumes to be a complete work. It is not recommended to buy loose volumes - it is very rare to find the remaining (supplementary) ones. Incidentally, see Det udkomne.

Book with the author's name. In recent years, advertising signage has become widely used. In connection with the publication of the book, the author signs the book in the bookstore/department store with a view to stimulating sales. Not to be confused with Dedication copy.

When you talk about a book being hard to find, you touch the soul of book collecting. If a book can be obtained at any time, the need to collect it is reduced. It is not enough for the collector that the book is rare, or nice, as it used to be called. It must have something that makes it worth saving; therefore, a rare book is never attractive just because it is rare. How rare or unobtainable a book is, is constantly debated between book collectors. There is one kind of definitive rarity, another kind of uncertain, fluctuating rarity, a third kind of random, flaring, and a fourth kind of local rarity. About a book that is rare, you can say that it is undiscoverable, unique, perhaps unique, extremely uncommon, very rare, extremely rare, rare and sought after, that it is the sought after and very rare original edition, etc. In the past, the rarity designation r, rr, rrr was used both in lowercase (small letters) and uppercase (capital letters), which gave six degrees of rarity. The designation R.R.R. therefore indicated the very extreme degree of rarity.

Simple made small prints with songs and poems. Usually sold for a shilling. The first known  print is from 1583. From that time until 1910, when the music and hit books took over, 20 to 25,000 shilling prints have been preserved.

Both binding and spine in leather. Also called full skin binding or full binding. The most common types of leather binders are made of goat or calf skin, but shark skin and even plaice skin are something you occasionally come across!

Better and thicker than ordinary printing paper. With a harder surface to prevent the ink from flowing out.

When valuable parts (eg hand-colored plates) are taken out of a book to be sold separately. Normally regarded as vandalism and only accepted if the specimen is defective (so-called butchered specimen).

The dust jacket, which was previously thrown away, has become the subject of great interest in our time. The first Swedish dust jackets appeared around 1860, the first known English one is from 1832. For collectors of particularly modern fiction, the dust jacket is an obvious part of the book. See also Cover.

The page before the title page, where the book title is reproduced in abbreviated form. Formerly supposed to protect the title page from stains and dirt.

See Desiderata.

See Codex Argenteus.

Used in the catalog to mark the knowledge that the book in its most sought-after state should contain what it usually lacks.

Produced on steel plates, on which text and images are engraved with a gravure stick. The method dates from around 1820.

The antiquarian booksellers endeavor to sell decent books. But since most antiquarian books have had other owners, it is important to describe its condition, How does it look! There is a sea of ​​designations here.
If the book is in good condition - New, like new, fine ex., fresh ex, mint, - UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, the buyer must expect a book to be in good condition. Then there is a wide range of terms about the book's condition - the antiquarian bookseller tries to put himself in the customer's place and create an image of the book's condition.
Terms like: about the cover/dust jacket/binding type - traces of use of various degrees - reading lines - warped spine - worn - loose at the hem - faded - cigar smoked - stained - shield - repaired with tape and so on. The inside of the book should also be described, is there a name written in it, is it underlined (ink, pencil or bacon), is it water-marked, stained, etc. Again - if no errors are described the interior of the book should be clean. As a starting point, you should be able to expect that a book without additional description appears as a very lightly used, nicely maintained book with no significant defects in either the binding or matter book block).

Pre-ordering, for example, a book. On the last pages of many older books, there is a printed subscription list or subscription directory, with the names of private individuals and booksellers who have already committed to buying the book.

An owner's mark embossed in relief or printed, which is often in gold either on the front of the volume, the inside of the front cover or on the spine. See also Exlibris.

Founded in 1936 Stockholm with the intention of working for a serious and responsible representation among the connected antiquarian bookstores. The number of members has risen from 26 (1945) to 66 (2005). To become a member of the association, an antiquarian must have operated for three years and be recommended by three members. See also ILAB .

Stated when a printed document which was included as part of e.g. a compilation volume taken out of the context.

Title page, usually after free page and dust title page. Usually contains information about the author's name, book title, publisher's name, place of printing and year, etc.

Imprints after hand-carved illustrations made in wooden discs or plates.

Pasting of plates, illustrations, newspaper clippings and other complementary image and text material from other sources in a book. It is not always that the book's next owner finds it relevant.

Indicated on printed matter not intended for the general public. As a rule, published in small editions by the author's publishing house (own publishing house) or by the author's friends to a narrow circle. In addition, technical books are occasionally printed as a manuscript before final publication, so that proofreading errors and editorial suggestions can be incorporated before publication.

See Udgave.

Book that has not had its pages trimmed (cut) in connection with binding.

This indicates when a writing, which is part of, for example, an anthology, has been removed from the publication and is sold on its own.

Used for books where it is not stated when or where the book was printed.

First edition/original edition/first edition are terms that all indicate that this is the first time the book has been printed. If the demand dictates it, subsequent editions are named in numerical order 2nd - 3rd edition - or 15th - 18th thousand. The term Variant edition is sometimes used and usually refers to hand-set books where an error has been discovered and corrected during the printing process. First editions with misprints are sometimes supplied with a list of the errors - Errata

Used about books that are no longer available in the regular bookstores or from the publisher.

Underlines in the text of the book. Widespread in subject books, where the reader has underlined selected sections with a ballpoint pen, pencil, fountain pen, felt-tip pen or fluorescent marker. A bad habit, especially if you want to sell your books on at a later stage.

Uniform. Used, for example, of works, or a series of books, on the same subject, which are uniformly bound.

Book where the pages are to be cut (NOT teared open) free. Occurs in connection with the printing of the book's sheets, which are folded to the book's format, and thereby leave some pages continuous (folded, not ready to open)

Book pages without numbering

The original price, when first published.

In mixed content catalogs. Often about books that cannot immediately be placed in a category. Or about a compilation heat at the end of the catalog.

Large letters, as the opposite to smaller letters, or lower-case letters. Used at beginning of sentenses, for nouns and names for instance.

A little - often artistic, decoration, placed in the text. From french: Vigne

Poetry, fiction writing. In the antiquarian often the section for older fiction. During the first half of the 18th century, wisdom was a broader humanistic concept and could also include subjects such as literary history, aesthetics and philosophy.

Engelsk ord for bind. På dansk bruges udtrykket om samlingsbind. 5 bind (dele) i 3 bind. osv. Det engelske udtrykt bruges næppe mere på dansk.

Bokband, fysisk del av bokverk. T.ex. fem delar i tre volymer eller "fem delar i en volym".