Glossary of Book Condition Terminology (page 4 of 6)
Gilt Edges: The page edges have been trimmed smooth and gilt, or gold, has been applied. (The abbreviation "ge" means gilt edges; "aeg" means all edges gilt; "gt" means gilt top; "teg" means top edge gilt.)
Glassine: A transparent paper dust jacket.
Good: Average used book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects are noted.
Half Binding: A book in which the spine and corners are bound in a different material (frequently leather) than the rest of the covers.
Half-Title: The page carrying nothing but the title of the book, usually preceding the title page.
Highlighting: The use of transparent and brightly coloured markers to draw attention to particular text.
Hinge: The joint (outer or inner) of the binding of a book that bends when the book is opened.
Illustrated: Decorated with pictures or other graphical material to portray or clarify the text.
Impression: (Also print run.) The number of copies printed during any given press run.
Imprint: A term that can refer either to the place of publication or to the publisher.
Index: An alphabetical listing of names or topics mentioned in the book, with their page numbers.
