With All Faults, as in “Sold WAF”. Usually found in connection with auction listings, but also some bookseller listings. Basically means that the book is in poor enough condition that whatever additional things you might find wrong with it that were not mentioned in the description are not a cause for return. Synonym for “sold as-is”.

(Sometimes used as a synonym to Spine) A strip used by binder to reinforce the back of folded sheets in the binding of the spine.

Fairly modern term referring to books for older children which are organized into chapters, as opposed to “picture books”, which often are not.

International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. An international trade association that includes 20 national antiquarian booksellers trade associations representing 30 countries.

Where the spine joins the sides of the book (exterior). Sometimes referred to as the Gutter.

Pages containing the content of a book (text, illustrations, etc.) bound together; does not include endpapers.

    In the US: the American Booksellers Association membership consists of independently owned bookstores, most with a store front location primarily selling new books.

Antiquarian Booksellers Association (the UK equivalent of the ABAA) A trade association in the British Isles for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and allied materials; founded in 1906 and the oldest organization of its kind in the world.

Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (the U.S. equivalent of the U.K. ABA.) The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America. A trade association of booksellers established in 1949 with over 450 members located throughout the United States, specializing in fine and rare books, maps, documents, autographs, illuminated manuscripts, ephe [..]

Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada (Canadian equivalent of the U.K. ABA.) The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada. A trade association of booksellers in Canada, founded in 1966 with the aim of fostering interest in rare books and manuscripts and maintaining high standards in the antiquarian book trade.