Glossary of Book and Ephemera Terms and Abbreviations

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jacket. another name for [dust jacket].

Japan vellum / Japan. smooth, glossy paper, made in imitation of [vellum], generally having a light tan color.

Japanese binding. a [hardcover] having plain leather exteriors and richly decorated or [gilt] [tooled] leather [endpapers].

jkt. jacket. See [dust jacket].

joint. outer side of the [hinge]; the outer part of a [hardcover] that bends when the book is opened.

joss. a type of [ephemera] consisting of assorted decorative and usually very thin paper. Joss is used in China for burial and memorial services for the dead; the custom is to wrap a picture of a worldly item in the paper, then burn the package as an offering. See also [Hell notes.]

justification page. a page on which the publisher explains their motivation for bringing the work to the public. Not found in many books; usually found in books the publisher has deemed questionable or controversial.

juv / juvenile. written to be read by, or to, children.

juvenilia. written when the author was extremely young, often as a child.

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This glossary was written and compiled by Gwen Foss of Alan's Used Books with thanks to the many independent bookdealers of TomFolio.com.