by Gil O’Gara
Copyright Ó 1997, Gil O’Gara
Reprinted with permission.

Some people who begin collecting juvenile series books become bewildered by the jargon they encounter in the sales ads or dealers' catalogues. This is understandable; while some of the lingo is merely a part of the book trade, it nevertheless takes a little getting used to. On the other hand, some of the idioms have evolved almost independently of the established book industry and reflect the hobby's attempts to describe attributes peculiar to juvenile series publishing, apparently unaware of previous and accepted terminology. This issue I thought I would try to define a few of the more common words and abbreviations one comes across in buying series books through the mail.

dj -- This is an easy one. It means "dust jacket", of course. Some prefer "dw", or "dust wrapper. This is the paper that covers the hardcover book. Originally its purpose was to protect the book from dust, soil, and the minor damage that occurs through casual handling. But as the years went by and the dust jacket become more decorative, it also became collectible. Today the value of a volume is increased if it comes complete with its original dust jacket. Now collectors cover the dust jacket with another plastic jacket to keep it from harm. The uninitiated tend to laugh at us.

laser -- Technology today has made it possible to reproduce a copy of a dj with a "laser" photocopier, in many cases making the copy indistinguishable from the original except upon close inspection. (Using a computer, we can even improve upon the condition of the original, but that is the basis for a separate article entirely). One who has been active in the hobby for some time can almost always tell the difference between an original and a counterfeit if given the opportunity to check for certain tell-tale signs (which may include slight imperfections, color aberration, length, flipside printing, or paper quality). However, collectors new to the hobby can be swindled. I actually know of only a few cases in which a book was sold by a dealer deliberately intending to defraud. Some of the more conscientious collectors will stamp, or write with indelible marker, the word "laser" inside the jacket flap to protect the unwary. As the years go buy, laser (and computer-generated) copies are bound to create some problems, especially if the monetary value of series books escalates and greed becomes a major factor in the exchange of these books.

wraparound -- Some dust jackets carry the artwork on the front cover around to the spine, or even, at times, to the back of the jacket. Collectors refer to these as "wraparound dust jackets." Unfortunately, this term has been abbreviated on many lists or ads to "wraps", and this causes confusion with dealers who know the term to mean something else entirely. This is a problem that occurs when a hobby begins growing and new participants, unfamiliar with general book collecting and dealing, try to reinvent the wheel of terminology. I think it would probably be for the best if "wraps" was no longer used to describe dust jacket art. "Wrap dj" might be a better abbreviation.

pc -- Pictorial cover. Remember the blue edition Hardy Boys, or the yellow cover Nancy Drews? The artwork was printed in full color directly onto the cover. These books were issued without dust jacket. Harry Hudson, in his bibliography of hard cover boys' books, referred to these editions as "composition binding, impregnated picture." In the case of Clover books or some Whitmans, Harry described a pictorial cover as "coated cardboard binding, high gloss." Some collectors also use the term "pc" with reference to the older clothbound series books in which the illustration has been "stamped in colors", as the early publishers described them. This can be helpful in the case of series in which the later editions had no illustrations on the cover whatsoever, but I'm afraid sometimes it simply adds to confusion. Generally, "pc" is used to let the buyer know that the book was originally issued without dust jacket.

wartime -- Restrictions on the use of paper during the second world war often resulted in books being printed on pulp paper or other stock inferior in quality. As a result, fifty years later the paper has almost always turned brown. Some series book collectors call this "wartime paper". Some collectors won't touch a book with this sort of paper. Others realize that certain editions are only available with "wartime paper." I have come across editions in which only half the book has turned brown, indicating that both a cheap paper and an upgraded stock were used in printing.

There is also a world of abbreviations out there, far too many to cover in the space I have for this article. Some are rather specific, based on David Farah's codes for his guide to Nancy Drew books, and adopted and adapted by reference books which have followed his lead. Others make no sense to those who are just beginning or have not seen the various editions of certain series. To a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew collector, for instance, "wsp" is immediately understood to refer to a white spine dustjacketed edition, and "oep" means a certain book has orange endpapers. A Dana Girls fan would know that b/r means the blonde-haired girl is shown on the right in the spine illustration. "Goldfish" on a Leo Edwards book tells you that there is an illustration on the cover. I could go on and on, but I won't. There are, of course, variations of these terms, depending on the preference of the collector or dealer, but you get the idea. My creed is: If you don't understand what he or she is talking about, call up and ask.

There is also the controversy over grading. We have been discussing this subject in the pages of Yellowback Library for the past sixteen years, and nothing I have to say at this time would add anything important to what has gone before, nor resolve any differences among collectors and dealers. I would like to comment, however, on a recent problem in some of the ads, and that is the presentation of the terms. A book listed as VG+ /VG is commonly accepted to mean that the book is in very good plus condition in a very good dustjacket. The condition of the book is traditionally placed first in the listing, with the dj condition following the slash. From time to time someone selling books in YL will get the order reversed, and then there is all sorts of heck to pay (and people call me up and yell at me, too, as if I was responsible). I know that among some comic book collectors, VG/Fn, for instance, means that the comic is in very good to fine condition, and occasionally someone more familiar with that hobby will advertise their series books in this magazine in that fashion. Then, of course, the purchaser, thinking this refers to a very good book in a fine dust jacket (although you guys should know better than to expect such a thing!) blows his top when he gets a book without any dust jacket at all.

I have also been asked by some dealers to clarify a few terms which they use, and which a lot of series book collectors seem to be unaware of (I have been told). Such as:

Advertisements -- Pages of ads, usually in the back of the book. These are normally advertising blurbs and ordering information for other books the publisher has available, or may be a catalogue of works in stock. Sometimes this also refers to ads for products other than books, as in the case of the cheaper publishers who would run pages of advertising for bicycles, billiard tables, typewriters and electric belts.

Association copy -- A book that has supposed value by having belonged to a famous person (or author) or which was presented by said person to another. You'll need some evidence, however, that this is the case, or only the gullible will purchase it from you. (If you are the purchaser, don't spend much on it unless there is indisputable proof of association).

Exlib -- If you were one of those youngsters forced to learn Latin in school, you have probably figured this one out. It can be used to refer to a book which once belonged in a fine or famous private library or collection, but most often in the pages of YL it means the book was removed from a public or school library (either discarded or stolen) and retains the consequent markings or faults associated with general circulation. In the case of rare or interesting volumes, the average collector doesn't care -- as long as it is priced accordingly. Sometimes a book will be described as having "library binding", which can refer to a special edition prepared for the rough handling a volume receives in a school or circulating library. These are usually of hardier material than the publisher's normal editions, and are often volumes with pictorial covers instead of dust jackets. Many of these never made it to a library; a dealer will usually be specific about such things.

Foxing -- A discoloration, usually reddish or brown, found on the pages of books. There can be a number of reasons for this, including chemicals in the ink or paper, which leave a spotted or blotchy stain. Not to be confused with marks left by coffee cups, nosebleeds, or chocolate-covered fingers.

Offset -- I worked in a print shop at one time, and there were high-falutin' pressmen who said that this term was incorrect as used by book people. Offset, they insisted, was a printing process. What book people really mean, I was informed, was "set off". Regardless, what we are referring to is the unintentional transfer of ink from one sheet of paper to another. Sometimes this results in words from one page being superimposed onto another, or the illustration appearing in ghostly fashion on the facing page. This occurs when the ink was not completely dry before the book was collated or bound, although sometimes it is a natural thing which comes about in books after many years, due to particular ink or paper types.

SASE -- Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (also called SSAE). When a dealer places this term in an ad, he or she usually means a #10, or business-size, envelope with a first class postage stamp affixed. Occasionally a dealer will ask for two stamps, or specify a larger envelope (for bulky lists or catalogues). At any rate, if an SASE is requested, send one. Really clever people enclose one with all communication to a dealer; not only does it save the dealer mailing costs, but it often guarantees a quicker reply to you. And, if nothing else, it contributes to the dealer's affection for you as a customer. Courtesy is still good policy, especially in a business which can be as personal as this one is.