Below you will find a list of elements that I take into account when evaluating the condition of Oz books. It should be noted that I arrive at the determination of overall condition based on the totality of most of the listed points.
Exterior
Other
You may also benefit from watching this short video explaining what to look for in collectible books. Resource Page
BOOK TERMS
BINDING
Material used as a protective cover for a book. Most modern books are described as "cloth" or "boards" (see below). Leather was commonly used to cover the boards. "Wrappers" refer to books which are not hard bound, usually paperbacks.
BOARDS
The front and back covers of a hardcover book. The term originates from early book covers that were fabricated from slats of wood. The wood was then covered with leather or some type of fabric. Most modern books are constructed using a type of cardboard covered with cloth.
BUMPED
Usually refers to the crumpled corners of a book damaged by being carelessly banged.
CHIPPED
Small pieces broken off of a dust jacket or binding.
CLOSED TEAR
A tear with no material missing; also known as a “clean” tear.
CLOTH.
Another term for a hardbound book.
COCKED
If, when looking down on the head of a book, the corners are not square it is said to be "cocked" or "rolled". Also known as a spine slant, as the book has become permanently deformed along the spine. Usually caused by long-term storage in an awkward position. It is a difficult condition to correct since the parts that hold the book together have stretched.
COPYRIGHT PAGE
The page that appears on verso of the title page, containing the artistic property protection.
DAMPSTAIN
A stain defect left on a cover or pages that have been exposed to water.
DUST JACKET or DUSTWRAPPER
(DJ, DW) The separate paper - covering for a book. While originally intended for protection, the dust jackets have become an important part of modern books, often including information about a book not found elsewhere. On highly collectible books, the dust jacket can be worth many times the value of the book it encompasses, as it is often damaged or missing.
EDGES
The three outer sides of the text block when book is closed: fore edge, top edge or head, and bottom edge or foot.
EDITION
All of the copies of a book printed at the same time from the same setting of type. The topic is, however, much more complicated when related to the Oz books.
ENDPAPERS
(EP) The blank pages added to the front and back of the book by the binder. These pages are an integral part of the binding of a book, holding the text block and case together. The lack of them drastically shortens the value and life of a book. Free end papers are loose (also known as preliminaries). Those glued to the insides of the covers are called "front and rear pastedowns".
EX-LIBRARY
Deaccessioned from a public library’s collection.
EX-LIBRIS
Usually found on a bookplate referring to "from the books" of John Doe, etc. From a private library, as opposed to a public library. Could also be a stamp or an emboss.
FACSIMILE
An exact copy of a previously printed work. Generally produced and marketed as such because the original is difficult to obtain and warrants enough interest to publish as an exact copy. Usually a facsimile will be so noted by the publisher. Often used for anniversary editions.
FLY-LEAVES
Plain papers at front and rear of book after endpapers.
FOOT
The bottom edge of the text block.
FORE EDGE
The right edge opposite the spine.
FOXING
The brown discoloration, thought to be caused by impurities in paper, often found on pages and plates of older books. So called due to the color or the fact that it often appears as a cluster of small blotches resembling a fox paw print. Most likely caused by acidification of the paper as a result of sulfuric acid used to bleach the pulp prior to the manufacture of the paper.
FREE ENDPAPER
Front and rear blank pages added by the binder which can be turned as pages.
FRONTISPIECE
The illustration facing title page.
GATHERINGS
The printed sheets, after folding, which are put in order and bound in sequence. As a sheet of printed paper comes off the press, it is folded to form a group of pages put in order with other similar groups, which are then sewn or glued together to form the bulk of the book. The edges are trimmed and ready to be cased (bound). Also known as a signature or quire.
GUTTER
Inner margins of two facing pages. Can also refer to the outer indentation that is created by the joining of the boards and spine.
HARDCOVER
A book whose case is made of stiff boards, as opposed to wrappers.
HEAD
Top edge of the text block.
HINGE (or GUTTER)
The inside of the front and back covers where the sides of the binding meet the spine. "Hinges tender" means that the end paper is starting to split at the junction.
HINGES STARTING
The covers are starting to separate from the pages of the book. After years of supporting the weight of the binding or the gatherings, the paper might start splitting or give way all together.
INSCRIPTION
Additional writing (besides signature) by the author or someone associated with the book. If the book carries a gift inscription, all things being equal, it detracts from the value of the item.
JOINT
Refers to outer hinge where spine joins the sides of the book. Sometimes referred to as the "gutter". "Joint cracked" indicates binding is split where the top board meets the back strip.
LOOSE
When a book has been read carelessly or too often, and has become loose and sloppy in its binding.
OPEN TEAR
A tear that may have some material missing.
OWNER'S INSCRIPTION
Words written by previous or original owner of book (also known as previous owner's inscription. Usually devalues the book, unless the owner is famous.
PLATE
A special page containing an illustration or other extra information; often printed on glossy paper.
POINTS/POINTS OF ISSUE.
Peculiarities or errors in a published book whose presence or absence helps to determine edition, issue, or state.
PRICE CLIPPED
The price on the inner flap of a dust jacket has been cut off.
REBACKED
A repair, where the original spine or backstrip has been removed, the spine replaced, and the original reglued on top. Can be considered a defect, but more valuable than not having any of the original spine present.
REBOUND
A repair where the entire binding has been replaced by a new one.
RECASED
A repair where a book is taken apart and put back together using original pages, cloth, and endpapers. Usually done to tighten the sewing or to wash the pages, etc.
RUBBED
Where the color has been worn from portions of the binding or dust jacket.
SHAKEN
The text block is loose in its binding; no longer tight, but not detached.
SPINE (BACK STRIP)
The back of the book. .
SPINE
The backbone, or back, of the book where the title (if present) is displayed when it is standing upright on a shelf.
STARTING
Hinges or joints beginning to show signs of becoming loose, either through wear or defective binding.
STICKER DAMAGE
A price sticker has been roughly removed resulting in surface damage to the underlying material.
SUNNED
Browning, yellowing, or fading of paper or binding as a result of sun exposure.
TAIL
Bottom edge of the text block.
TAPE RESIDUE
Complications of cellophane tape which remains on the paper or a book's cover, resulting in brown stains or bits of tape adhering to paper.
TENDER
When the binding is loosening.
TEXT BLOCK
Pages containing the content of a book (text, illustrations, etc.) bound together; does not include endpapers.
TIPS
The top and bottom edges of the spine.
TIPPED IN
Often on higher quality, illustrated books, the plates that are printed separately on a better grade of paper and glued lightly along one edge to a blank page. In library book repair, ‘tipped in’ means gluing the edge of a loose page, using wax paper on either side and replacing the loose page, closing the book and rubber banding it to cure/dry overnight.
TITLE PAGE
The page that gives important information about the book, i.e., title, author, publisher, date, etc.