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Rag Book

 A children's book printed on and bound with cloth fabric.

Raised Band

 The visibly raised areas on a book spine where the cords, which attach the cover boards, are passed through. May also refer to fake raised bands on decorative bindings. Also known as raised cord. See also false band.

Raised Cord

 See raised band.

Rare

 Traditionally, a publication is "rare" if an active collector or bookseller expects to see it in the marketplace only once in a great while.

Reading Copy

 Refers to the condition of the book; the text is readable and complete, but the binding is in poor condition and the text block should probably be rebound.

Rebacked

 The book has been given a new spine and the hinges have been fixed. This process mends a book when the hinges are weak and the spine is worn and cracked. See also rebound and recased.

Rebound

 The original binding of the book has been removed and a new binding has been attached and re-sewn. See also rebacked and recased.

Recased

 The text block of the book has been put into a new binding. The process usually requires new endpapers and gluing but not re-sewing of the binding. See also rebacked and rebound.

Recto

 The front of the leaf; the page that lies to the right in an open book. Rectos are the odd-numbered pages. Also known as recto page. See also verso.

Reinforced Dust Jacket

 A dust jacket that has been strengthened with tape by the previous owner.

Reinforced Library Binding

 See library binding.

Re-Issue

 A term encompassing all types of a reprinting of a work; it can be a later printing of a book, which is substantially unchanged, or an entirely new edition, such as a cloth edition re-issued as a paperback edition.

Remainder

 Books that are discounted from the publisher because of over-printing or lack of sales, or because the book has been revised. They are often sold to booksellers in bulk and usually have remainder marks on the outside edge or binding of the book.

Remainder

 Books that are discounted from the publisher because of overprinting, sluggish sales, or outdated material.

Remainder Mark

 A publisher's written mark on a book indicating it is a remainder. It is usually done with a permanent pen, stamp, or spray paint on the outside edge or on the binding of the book.

Remaindered

 excess stock of printed unsold books that can be sold at discounted prices.

Reprint

 A new impression from the same type setting, or a new edition of the work.

Re-Sized

 Usually means that all of the pages in the book have been "washed" and sizing material, such as gelatin or glue, has been re-applied. The washing may have been done to remove stains, writing, or acid from the pages. Sizing provides a protective finish and makes flimsy paper stiff.

Retail

 The sale of books at full price directly to the public.

Returns

 unsold copies returned by the bookstores or wholesalers to the publisher.

Review

 A critical evaluation of a book.

Review Copy

 A copy of a book sent out for review by the publisher to the press, booksellers, and others in order to attract attention to the publication. Frequently review copies will have slips of paper inserted into the book, or have it written on the cover, announcing it as a review copy. Textbook review copies are also known as "desk copies" or "instructor copies" and are given to instructors to review for consideration for adoption of the regular edition. See also advance reading copy.

Review Copy

 A free copy given away to be reviewed.

Ringbound

 See loose-leaf.

Roan

 A soft, flexible, sheepskin binding. This durable, yet cheap, leather material came in to use around 1790 as a replacement for the more expensive morocco leather, and is not known for its elegance.

Rough

 Unpolished suede-like leather, which was primarily used for binding of reference books, music scores, working manuals, and similar books, since the 18th century. Also known as reversed calf.

Royalties

 percentage of the sales price earned by the author on sold copies. These are generally charged against the advance until it is earned out.

Royalties

 percentage of the sales price earned by the author on sold copies. These are generally charged against the advance until it is earned out.

Rubbed

 Refers to condition; the spine or cover has visible scuffmarks and may be worn in places. 

Rule

 A continuous line, thick or thin, that is used in decorative printing. In the 1800s and early 1900s, title pages were often enclosed in plain rule-borders. The term can also apply to a decorative line on a binding, which may be in blind or gilt.