Glossary

Glossary of Terms for Collectors of Rare Maps, Atlases, Books, Globes and other related Scientific Objects.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

a.e.g

All edges gilt, gilt applied to top edge, bottom edge and fore-edge of the volume.

French: tranches dorées
German: Goldschnitt

a.e.m

All edges marbled, marbling applied to top edge, bottom edge and fore-edge of volume.

French: tranches marbrées
German: Farbschnitt

Advertisements

Leaves in a book, or text on a map advertising other works by the same publisher, often located at the back of the volume, following the text pages.

French: Publicité
German: Verlagsanzeigen

All published

The book or set is complete as is, and any additional parts or volumes were never published.

French: Seuls publiés
German: Alles Erschienene
Swedish: Allt som utkommit

Allegorical print

A print representing a universal truth by using imagery. Often using a classical theme.

ALS

Autograph letter signed, letter handwritten by the person signing the letter as opposed to LS, which is a manuscript letter written by someone other than the signer.

Annotated

Including critical and explanatory notes

Danish: Forsynet med noter
Dutch: Geannoteerd
French: Annoté
German: Kommentierte Ausgabe
Italian: Annotato
Spanish: Anotado
Swedish: Med noter, med anmärkningar

Aquatint

An intaglio engraving technique in which gradations of tone or shadow are produced rather than sharp lines; often this technique is used in conjunction with etching for images that can resemble watercolour washes. In this process the artist applies a granular, acid-resistant ground to the plate before submerging it in an acid bath that “bites” in and around the granules creating large areas of texture. The use of grounds with varying granule sizes produces different degrees of tone. Aquatints were frequently coloured by hand after printing.

French: Aquatinte
German: Aquatinta

Armorial bearing

More commonly called a “coat of arms”, is a design or image, normally depicted on a shield, for distinguishing persons of, and within, a family.

Danish: Våbenskjold
Dutch: Blazoen, wapenschild
French: Blason
German: Wappensupralibros
Italian: Blasone, stemma
Spanish: Blasón
Swedish: Vapensköld

Association copy

A book or pamphlet that has some indication of having belonged to the author or someone closely associated with them.

Swedish: Associationsexemplar