Guide to Condition and
Bookseller's Abbreviations
This is a short list of abbreviations and terms you might find in our listings. If you have any questions, simply send us an email to ask! (Page unfinished - adding more soon!)
aeg
All edges gilt.
BCE
Book club edition.
bep
Back endpaper (aka back pastedown)
bfep
Back free endpaper (aka back flyleaf)
dj
Dust jacket (aka 'dw' or dust wrapper)
half bound
Style of binding where the spine and corners are (typically) bound in the same material, with a secondary material covering the front and back of the boards.
morocco
Fine, typically goat, leather with a delightful soft and smooth feel.
MS(S)
Manuscript(s)
nd
No date, undated. No date appears on the title page, copyright, or colophon. In this case date can be estimated from dated Introductions, flyleaf inscriptions, or binding/paper type/style.
npc
Not price clipped (of the jacket, not having the price removed).
pc
Price clipped (opposite of npc). To some a major flaw, to others a minor annoyance.
plate
...
pr
Printing. As in "1st pr, 2nd pr", etc
bfep
Back free endpaper (aka back flyleaf)
bfep
Back free endpaper (aka back flyleaf)