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Glossary of Book Terms

Binding

Binding types include:

  • Advanced Reader: Trade Paperback versions of books released to book industry insiders prior to the actual official release date. Oftentimes (but not always) these editions are printed with generic, text-only covers.
  • Board Book: Great for small children, the pages of board books are made from sturdy cardboard to handle rough use.
  • Dust Jacket: Also known as a dustwrapper (dw), the dust jacket is the (usually) decorative paper wrapper placed around a book for protection.
  • Hardcover: A hardcover book (also known within the book industry as Trade Cloth), which may or may not have a dust jacket.
  • Library Bound: A sturdy hardcover binding produced to withstand long-term use. Most Library Bound books do not have a dust jacket.
  • Mass Market: A smaller paperback, the size you often find at a supermarket.
  • Pamphlet: A small work, often stapled, generally bound in stiff paper back and front.
  • Slipcase: A cardboard case covered in paper, cloth, or leather, the slipcase houses a book, leaving only its spine exposed.
  • Spiral Bound: A continuous metal cord binding often used for workbooks or other "how-to" books.
  • Trade Paperback: Usually taller, wider, with larger font, and printed on nicer paper than a mass market.
  • Uncorrected Proof: Trade Paperbacks similar to Advanced Readers, but not released specifically for marketing purposes.
  • Vellum: A fine parchment made from calf-, lamb-, or kidskin for writing on or for binding books. Vellum can also refer to heavy, fine-quality paper resembling this parchment.

Class

Book classes include:

  • New: A brand new book.
  • Used: A previously owned book in good, reading condition. All used books at Powells.com have been designated with a descriptive condition code, listed below. Like everything you buy at Powell's, if you're not satisfied with the condition of your used book, return it for a full refund.
  • Remainder: Books we've made available at substantial savings. These books may show a small, black mark on the underside of its pages (or other identifying characteristics of publisher overstock editions) or possibly slight shelf-wear from its life in our stores.

Condition

Buying used books online shouldn't require any more guesswork than buying new copies. That's why all our used book listings contain a condition code. When you order a used book from Powells.com, you'll know exactly what kind of shape it's in. Prior to shelving, each book is graded appropriately. The great majority of our stock falls into our "Good" designation, and as you'll see below, we hold our buyers to high standards.

Whatever rating we apply to a book, our money-back guarantee applies. If you're unsatisfied with the condition, simply send it back within one month and we'll refund your money!

Books

  • New: A brand-new copy; direct from publisher or distributor.
  • Used - Very Good: A clean copy with little to no shelf wear. Light to unread condition. May have publisher overstock mark.  If applicable, accompanying codes may not be included but other companion materials are present.
  • Used - Good: A copy in clean condition. Standard used condition book. Shows normal signs of shelf wear. The spine may show signs of wear. May have writing on the inside cover and limited notes, underlining, or highlighting that does not impact text. May have publisher overstock mark. If applicable, accompanying codes may not be included but other companion materials are present.
  • Used - Acceptable: A readable copy. May show considerable shelf wear which can include bends, folds and minor tears. Pages can include extensive notes in pen or highlighter, and can include underlining, but text is not obscured. If applicable, dust jacket and/or slipcase may show considerable wear or be missing. May have publisher overstock mark. May contain ex-library markings. May not contain companion materials. In all cases we guarantee the text is unobscured and the book will hold up to you being able to read and enjoy it.

Dust Jackets

  • Standard: Most dust jackets rated as "standard" are in as-new or very good condition. A small percentage may show minor shelf wear, small nicks, or a price clip.
  • Less than Standard: The dust jacket may have tears, stains, large nicks, or be considerably worn.
  • Ex-Library: The dust jacket has library markings (the book was at one time the property of a lending library) but is in otherwise good condition.
  • Ex-Library Less than Standard: The dust jacket has library markings (the book was at one time the property of a lending library). Also, it may have tears, stains, large nicks, or be considerably worn.
  • No dust jacket: The book does not have a dust jacket. The jacket may be missing or, alternately, the item is a hardcover originally issued without a jacket.

Editions, Volumes, and Autographed Copies

At the end of the title of some books you'll see information relating to the edition of the book, the number of volumes, the number of the volume, and whether the book is autographed.

  • ISBN: The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit or 10-digit code assigned to books published after 1972. Each ISBN is unique to a specific book. A different ISBN is assigned to hardcover and paperback versions of the same title, as well as later editions with changes or additional content, or editions produced by different publishers. You'll generally find the number printed over the bar code on the book's back cover and on the title or copyright page.
  • 1ed: This book is a first edition.
  • 2ed, 3ed, etc.: These would be second and third editions, respectively.
  • 3Vol, 2Vol, etc.: If you see this at the end of a book's title it means it is a 3 volume set, or a 2 Volume set, and so on. The shipping on multi-volume sets is figured on a per volume basis (shipping a 3 volume set counts as shipping 3 separate books).
  • Vol3, Vol2, etc.: These would be just volume 3 (of a larger set), just volume 2 of a larger set, and so on.
  • Signed: If you see this in a title field, it means the book is autographed by the author. Powell's has many signed editions, not only in our rare book room but throughout the store. Many signed editions are no more expensive than ordinary editions of the same book. Some of our signed editions may also include an inscription from the author. Many authors who visit Powell's sign a number of copies of their work, sometimes right here in the aisles!