Collecting old books? If you are not already an expert understand a few things and terminology about old publications and enjoy the hobby.

Old, rare, out-of-print, "signed by owner",  inscribed by owner, "antique" -- what's does all this mean?

Let's stay with the term old for a bit and cover some of the more interesting terms you are likely to run across.

Inscribed by Owner: Handwriting in an old by a former owner of the book. This is not the same as  inscriptions written in by the author.

Signed by Owner: Handwritten name of the owner of the book (again, this is generally NOT the same as the author).

Rare: Don't be mislead. A rare book is much more than just old. It must be scarce and desired by collectors. There are books printed in the 1700's that have no real value. They are old and even scarce, but not rare because the demand from collectors is missing. Keep this in mind -- scarce and in demand!

X-Library: Simply means the book has at one time or another been in the inventory of a library (not included is a private library). These will quite often have library stamps, bookplates or labels.

Book Plate: Is simply a printed label affixed to the front inside or flyleaf of a book by a former owner of the book.  Book plates often have the owner's name printed on them. 

Shaken: When a clothbound book becomes loose in its binding. 

By the way... a great resource: Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America