There are certain terminologies which booksellers use to describe the condition of books.

Some of them are listed below:

Foxing – this is the term used to describe the specks, spots and splotches often seen on older books.

An Example of Foxing

foxing example

Dog-eared – Small folds, usually at the edge of pages.

An Example of a ‘Dog eared’page

Dog Eared Page

Tanning – this is when books, over time, become yellowish/brown. Its usually present in books printed in the 80s using acid-free paper.

An Example of Tanning

Ancient Assyria by C.H.W Johns (Hardback)