Glossary of old book terms

Words that may come up in discussions of books, especially old books.

• Advance copy: a copy of a book usually sent to reviewers prior to publication, may be in a different format and may or may not be bound.
• Binding: the method of holding pages or sheets together; may be simply stapled or sewn, or sewn and enclosed in wrappers; most often refers to a “hard” binding or covers.
• Book formats.

Folio (fo, 2^o): the format of a book, when two leaves (four pages when printed on both sides) were printed on a sheet so that it could be folded once, collated with other folded sheets and bound, the format was “folio” (two leaves). Each leaf of a folio book thus represents one-half the size of the original sheet. More than 13 inches tall.
Quarto (4to, 4^o): the format of a book, when four leaves (eight pages) were printed on the same size sheet, which would later be folded twice, the format of the resultant volume was a “quarto” (four leaves). Each leaf of a quarto book thus represents one-fourth the size of the original sheet. Approximately 10 to 13 inches tall; average 12 inches.
Octavo (8vo, 8^o): the format of a book, when eight leaves (16 pages) were printed on the same size sheet, which would later be folded and the format of the resultant volume was an “octavo” (eight leaves). Each leaf of an octavo book thus represents one-eighth the size of the original sheet. Approximately 8 to 10 inches tall; average 9 inches.
Duodecimo (12mo, 12^o): the format of a book, when twelve leaves (24 pages) were printed on the same size sheet, which would later be folded and the format of the resultant volume was an “duodecimo” (twelve leaves). Each leaf of a duodecimo book thus represents one-twelfth the size of the original sheet. Approximately 7 to 8 inches tall; average 7.5 inches.
Sextodecimo (16mo, 16^o): the format of a book, when sixteen leaves (32 pages) were printed on the same size sheet, which would later be folded and the format of the resultant volume was an “sextodecimo” (16 leaves). Each leaf of a sextodecimo book thus represents one-sixteenth the size of the original sheet. Approximately 6 to 7 inches tall; average 6.5 inches. 
Other: there are smaller and larger books, e.g., many miniatures are 64mo.

• Broadside: a printing which occurs on a single sheet of paper and only on one side – the verso (other side) is blank; when printed on both sides, the sheet is called a “broadsheet.”
• Edition: includes the copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same plates or setting of type. If 500 copies of a book are printed on May 5 and 300 copies are printed from the same substantially unchanged plates on July 10, all 800 copies are considered part of the same edition. Compare “printing” below.
• Flyleaf: a blank leaf (or leaves) inserted during the binding process between the free end paper and the beginning or end of the printed pages.
• Frontispiece: an illustration or plate inserted immediately in front of the title page, with the illustration facing the title page (often abbreviated as frontis.).
• Imprint: used as a noun, it refers to the publication data located at the base of a title page, usually includes the city of publication, name of the publisher (sometimes the printer), and the year of publication. Imprint is sometimes used to refer to a printed piece from a certain location or period of time.
• Issue: a portion of an edition printed or published deliberately by the printer or publisher in a distinct form differing from the rest of the printing (such a paper, binding, format, etc.). Compare “state.” [The distinction between “issue” and “state” is that “issue” relates to changes done on purpose by the publisher and intentionally treated as a separate unit.]
• Leaf (and leaves): refers to the smallest, standard physical unit of paper in a printed piece.
• n.d.: an abbreviation meaning that “no date” of publication is provided in the imprint.
• n.p.: an abbreviation meaning that “no place” of publication provided in the imprint.
• Printing: the copies of a book or other printed material which originate from the same press run or from the same plates or setting of type at one time. In the example given for “Edition” (see above), the 500 copies are the first printing and the 300 copies comprise the second printing. In the 19th century some publishers labeled later printings as if they were later editions, i.e., a second printing might be called a “second edition” on the copyright page.
• Recto: the front or right-hand side of a leaf; in the case of an open book the page on the right, with the page on the left being the verso.
• Spine (also called “shelfback” and “backstrip”): the back portion of a book’s binding which is visible when a book is shelved in a bookcase; the portion which is attached at the joints to the front and rear covers.
• State: a portion of a printing with changes such as minor alterations to the text either intentional or accidental; copies on different paper without intention of creating a separate issue, etc. Compare “issue.” [The distinction between “issue” and “state” is that “issue” relates to changes done on purpose by the publisher and intentionally treated as a separate unit.]
• Verso: the reverse or left-hand side, especially used in reference to a leaf which has a recto and verso side; in an open book the recto is the right-hand page and the verso is the left-hand page.