Understanding the jargon of bibliographies.
Glossary
12mo Standard mass market paperback size
8vo (octavo) a book format, each gathering formed from paper sheet folded in half three times and comprises eight leaves or sixteen pages, see book sizes and paper sizes.
A format a size of paperback generally referred to as 'mass market', 110mm x 178mm (4.33" x 7.01")
Associated London Scripts a company set up by Spike Milligan.
B
B format a British term for the size of paperback generally referred to as 'trade market' or trade paperback, the smaller of two trade paperback sizes at: 130mm x 198mm (5.12" x 7.8")or larger
Blind-stamping An impressed mark, decoration, or lettering, not colored or gilded, usually appearing on the binding. One way that the Book Clubs have marked their editions when they are otherwise identical to trade editions is to use a small square, round or sometimes leaf-shaped blind stamp in the bottom right corner of the rear board.
Blurb The advertising comment written by the publisher of a book. Used in many situations but often include on the front flap of the dust jacket of a book.
BNB The British National Biography, this is a listing of all books and journals published in the U.K. since 1950. Publications are given a unique number. Still used but internationally it has been replaced by the ISBN.
BNF Bibliothèque nationale de France. French equivalent of BNB
Boards The stiff front and back parts of a hardcover book.
Board book , board cover Hardback book produced without a dust jacket.
Book Club edition (BCE) A separate edition printed for a book club such as Book of the month club (BOMC), Companion Book Club, etc.
Broadsheet A single sheet of paper usually printed on both sides.
Broadside A single sheet of paper usually printed on one side only.