Glossary

What book dealers really mean. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Jacket

Short version of the term dustjacket or dustwrapper, that is, the (usually printed) paper that wraps around a (usually) hardcover book. The presence of a jacket on a book for which it seldom survives, or the presence of a fine jacket on a book for which it is usually very worn, can greatly affect the market value of a book.

Japanese vellum

Fine quality paper made to look and feel like vellum, usually white or whitish in color. Also called Japon. Seven copies of author/film director Rene Clair's first novel, Adams, were printed on Japanese vellum. Shown here is Copy #1, offered in our Catalog 124. What was the clue that this copy was printed on Japon? It said so.

Joints

see Hinge