Label: A small, simply-shaped piece of paper, or other
material, applied to the spine or cover of a book on which is printed at least the book's title and author.
While occasionally a label may have a very simple decorative design, they should not be confused with
Paste-Down Illustrations which
serve a different function.
Laid-in: Printed material inserted among the leaves of a book,
but not sewn, glued or otherwise attached. The material may have been laid-in when the book was issued,
accompanied the book separately and laid-in or not at the option of the buyer, or not originally issued in or
with the book and placed in the book later because of its special relevance to the book. The latter is a catch-all
for items whose inclusion could arguably give the book more value or interest, but would certainly not include
incidental insertions such as make-do page markers, pressed flowers, or even money.
Laid Paper: A handmade paper used in some books which shows marks
(called chain lines) cause by the wire ribs supporting the paper in framed molds. The resulting
sheets of paper have parallel wire marks about an inch apart (always parallel to the short side
of the sheet) and Deckled Edges. The chain lines are easily seen when laid paper is held to the
light. While laid paper was the only paper available to the early hand-press printers, it is
still made today for special edition books and other purposes. The pattern can also be
imitated on machine-made papers, so seeing apparent chain lines is not necessarily an indicator
of handmade paper or the age of the book.
Lamination: The application of a transparent plastic film, usually
with a high gloss finish, to the surface of paper-based book covers to enhance its appearance and durability.
Lamination has often been applied to the covers of modern Paperbacks, and more recently widely used in books
bound in both Wraps of all sizes and books in
paper-covered boards. Common defects in laminated covers are peeling, lifting and bubbles.
Leaf or Leaves: The entirety of the single piece of paper both
sides of which are a page in a book, i.e. each side of a leaf contains one page. Leaves can be printed or blank.
Library Binding: A book bound for, or upon the request of,
a library in a binding material with greater strength and durability than the binding used by the
publisher for general retail distribution (called Publisher's Binding). Library bindings are characterized
by the use of a strong Buckram, strengthen
endpapers, muslin-reinforced end signatures, use of 4-cord thread in the sewing, and reinforcement
(backlining) of the spine with fabric. Some books are issued in both a publisher's binding and a library
binding when the publisher anticipates a book will be heavily purchased by libraries. Other books are
Rebound by a library before circulation
due to their fragility, or in an effort to restore or preserve a valuable book not easily replaced.
Library bindings are also found on bound periodical, pamphlets, and other printed material in need
of preservation.
Limited Edition: A book whose publication is, in whole or part,
deliberately restricted to a comparatively small number of copies. Some limited editions are the only editions
or printings of the book while others are an special edition released prior to the less artful copies of the
book intended for the general retail market. True limited editions should give at least the total number publishers
printed, are usually numbered (e.g. "Number 552 of 1,000"), and may be signed by the author and/or illustrator.
Limited editions are not necessarily valuable; and the so-called limited editions, which some unscrupulous
produce in large numbers or in whatever quantity can be sold, are rarely of any value. A true stamped) are called
limited edition book which is not numbered (despite having an obvious place for the number to be written or
Out of Series. These are extra copies printed
to replace defective or lost copies prior to their release, and are considered of less value by collectors
being, as it were, the understudies of the limited edition.
Limp: A flexible binding which allows the covers of a book
to be easily bent. The flexibility of the covers is achieved by the use of naturally limber material and
the absence of supporting Boards. The term
does not apply to paperbacks or other paper bindings, but is reserved for non-paper binding materials,
particularly soft leather or imitations thereof.
Loose: A term indicating that the subject in not
completely detached, but is either only partially attached or no longer firmly attached. See
Shaken and
Started.
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