Glossary

Condition
We always try to describe books accurately, however condition is a rather subjective matter so we tend to err on the side of caution and under describe condition. Secondhand books are often as good as ‘new’ books (often better - how many ‘new’ books have you seen at Waterstones etc. with torn, bumped and marked covers and jackets!)

We will always offer a full refund on any book which is defective or materially not as described.

However we do not normally note old ownership labels, bookplates, inscriptions etc, unless they are unusual, unsightly or significant (Author dedications, association copies etc) – if this is important to you please inquire before buying.

When describing book condition we use the following catagories:

As New : ‘new’ from Publisher copy
VG : Very Good – No significant faults – a well looked after book (many Bookdealers would say ‘Fine’)
VG- : near VG – generally a VG copy but with some minor wear (often shelf wear on extreme edges etc)
Good : a perfectly acceptable copy but with some obvious wear or faults as noted
Fair : a reading copy – faults as noted

Other Phrases

Dw - Dust Wrapper. Condition is graded as above, but most dws will show some minimal signs of wear on edges. If a dw is not mentioned then book does not have one (or was not issued with one)

Glazed Boards – Hardback book with shiny paper covered board covers (generally pictorial) – usually issued without dust wrapper

Ex-lib – ex library copy – any labels, stamps etc will be noted. Our ex-lib books are often from Institutional Libraries and are in VG unread condition with just the odd library marking.

End Papers – the blank pages at the front and back of books holding the pages to the binding.

Yapp Card Covers – oversize card covers – a ridiculous design from the 1930s -50s which always crease and wear on the edges!

Publisher Abbreviations

D&C – David & Charles
Bradford or BB – Bradford Barton
IA – Ian Allan
IRRS – Irish Railway Record Society
IRS – Industrial Railway Society
NMRS – Northern Mines Research Society
OPC – Oxford Publishing Company
Oakwood – The Oakwood Press
RCHS – Railway & Canal Historical Society
RCTS – Railway Correspondence & Travel Society
TPC – Transport Publishing Company

Book Sizes for Railway Enthusiasts!

12mo – small (Ian Allen ‘ABC’ size)
8vo – normal format (Standard size for D&C, Oakwoods etc)
Large 8vo – Ian Allan ‘Albums’, Bradford Bartons etc.
4to – Large format – OPC hardbacks, Foxlines etc.
Folio – Over 12” high

‘Landscape’ refer to books in horizontal format