Rare Maps 
Rare Atlases 
Rare Books 
Rare Prints 
Globes and Planetaria Sign up to hear about our latest acquisitions, exhibitions and events
Find Us
New York
PO Box 329, Larchmont, NY, USA
Opening hours, London Gallery
Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: by appointment
Closed: all bank holidays and 1-31 August
Opening hours, New York
By appointment only
Opening hours
Glossary
Glossary of Terms for Collectors of Rare Maps, Atlases, Books, Globes and other related Scientific Objects.
Half title
A page that precedes the title page and the text, with the title (often abbreviated) usually centred on the page.
Danish: Smudstitel
Dutch: Franse titel, voortitel
French: Faux-titre
German: Schmutztitel
Italian: Occhiello, occhietto
Spanish: Anteportada
Swedish: Smutstitel
Headband
Band of silk or cotton affixed to signatures when bound for strength or, more often, decoration of the spine.
French: Headband
German: Kapitalband
Hinge
The inside portion of the flexible area where book cover meets the book spine; often used interchangeably with the term joint, which should be used to designate the outside or exterior portion of the “hinge”. A volume that has received heavy or rough use often has cracked or broken hinges.
Danish: Fals (på bogbind)
Dutch: Scharnier (-versterking)
French: Charnière
German: Gelenk (innen)
Italian: Cerniera
Spanish: Charnela, bisagra
Swedish: Fals (på bokpärm)
Holograph
Anything handwritten entirely by the writer; i.e. a letter written entirely in the handwriting of the correspondent is a holograph of that person.
Sign up to hear about our latest acquisitions, exhibitions and events
Find Us
New York
PO Box 329, Larchmont, NY, USA
Opening hours, London Gallery
Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: by appointment
Closed: all bank holidays and 1-31 August
Opening hours, New York
By appointment only