Publishers summary and recommendation of a book, printed usually on the front flap of the books dust jacket, or in an advertisement or catalog. The curious history of book blurbs and why theyre still around. The dust jacket sometimes book jacket, dust wrapper or dust cover of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. While it does offer a fantastic browser tool, it also offers a desktop and mobile version. Douglas adamss meaning of liff redefined books the guardian. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs. Learn the origin and popularity plus how to pronounce blurb. Blurb definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Blurb ships to over 70 countries and has delivered more than 14 million books. My sincere appreciation, as always, goes to vijay vaghela. The origin of the word blurb may have been german or american.
Featured on the dust jacket for burgess are you a bromide. When designing your cover, the back flap will fold to the back of the book and the front flap will fold around the front. Sayres jacket a plaster of paris jacket used as a support for the vertebral column. Definition for dust jacket in the glossary of book collecting terminology at. Dust jacket definition and meaning collins english. It purports, as the author explains in her introduction, to be an unconventional bookpart memoir, part critical study, part biography, part exploration of sexual politics in our time. A dust jacket is a detachable outer cover printed on 80lb enamel cover stock with folded flaps that hold it to the front and back book cover.
Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a summary of the book from the publisher blurb, and. Almost 30 years after douglas adams first let us in on the meaning of liff in his dictionary of things that there should be words for but arent, the late authors friends and family have come. Blurb the use of the word blurb, to describe a publicity notice on a book jacket, dates back to 1907 when it was used by american humorist gelett burgess. Indeed, for modern first editions, a book without the dust jacket will sell for only a fraction of the price. Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a summary of the book from the publisher known as a blurb or critical. In the publishing trade, a blurb is a testimonial to the book that is printed on the dust jacket.
There was, in fact, discussion about such a note but however it was worded it sounded more like a promotional blurb than a serious warning. I always like to include a blurb or three on the back, usually before or after the actual dust jacket copy. Once intended to be temporary and disposable protection for beautifully. Perhaps its appropriate that the true meaning of the celestial eyes remain somewhat mysterious. Dust jacket definition is a paper cover for a book. Owens analysis of ancient text offers new interpretations to some of the worlds oldest manuscripts.
Information about dust jacket in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. The dust jacket of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. Hard cover dust jacket version in full color the word sublimation is from the latin word sublimare meaning. A dust jacket guards against scratches, scuffs, jelly, and other distortions unworthy of a books perfection. Jul 26, 20 a dust jacket guards against scratches, scuffs, jelly, and other distortions unworthy of a books perfection. Linen options for photo book formats our hardcover dust jacket photo book formats offer three linen choices. By the end of the 1970s, the national front seemed poised to become britains third party.
Burgess used a picture of a fictitious young woman named miss belinda blurb on the dust jacket of a limited run of his 1906 book are you a bromide. Blurb, founded in 2005 in san francisco, ca, has stood out among other photo book companies, largely because it is a selfpublishing company offering a very different selection of services. Dustjacket definition of dustjacket by medical dictionary. The dust jacket first appeared in the early 1800s as a way to protect the bindings of a book and to keep it clean from dust or other damage. At the time, it was customary to have a dust jacket that promoted a book. Dec 24, 2019 hardcover dust jacket with a glossy jacket over black linen. Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a summary of the book from the publisher or critical praise from celebrities or authorities in the books subject area. Oct 15, 2012 almost 30 years after douglas adams first let us in on the meaning of liff in his dictionary of things that there should be words for but arent, the late authors friends and family have come. The case includes the front and back covers along with the spine. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. A dust jacket is a loose paper cover which is put on a book to protect it. Wouldn t the right blurb, placed just right on the books dust jacket, be a. Top ten the result is a handsome volume, from its fashionable fullbleed dust jacket to its generous blackandwhite illustrations. An early sketch by francis cugat for the dust jacket.
A removable paper cover used to protect the binding of a book. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word dust jacket. Hardcover dust jacket this option includes linen hardcover cases wrapped with laminated fullcolor printed glossy dust jackets, as well as end sheets. My poetry collections would not be possible without his expertise and dedication. Dust jacket definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The definition of a blurb is a short advertisement, announcement or description. Information and translations of blurb in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. According to matthews, blurbs in 1906 were becoming more and more. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dust jacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites.
The dust cover has folded flaps to cradle the book, those flaps often contain a summary of the book, a blurb about the author of the book, and something features illustrations or text excerpts from the book. Dust jacket definition of dust jacket by merriamwebster. Synonyms for dust jacket include cover, dust cover, jacket, outer, outer cover, paper cover, wrapper, bookjacket, sheath and envelope. Impressively enough, the design aspect of their photo books is what really sets blurb apart from mixbook and other competitors. Traditional hyperbole in blurbs used by publishers to promote books has spurred some publishers to react by using acid blurbs. Todays word is an odd little fellow that wont go away but hasnt procreated. I mean, the dust jacket blurb does a terrific job of not being too spoilery in case someone picks this book up by accident without having read its. The dust jacket is made from paper with two flaps that fit over the front and back covers, wrapping around the spine to encase the entire cover. The valuable rare book dust jacket rare books digest. As most collectors are aware, a dust jacket in fine condition can greatly enhance the value of a book. Dust jacket glossary of book collecting terminology.
Coined by american humorist gelett burgess 18661951 on a book dust jacket at a trade association dinner in 1907. Free book jacket layout template for diy selfpublishers the book designer says. Not sure what is the best for a book to keep it clean, not get damaged, etc. These dust jackets could remain on the book when it was opened, providing protection for volumes even as they were read. Most photographers will be interested in blurbs fantastic photo book abilities. Dust jacket meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. The origin of blurb is one of the more humorous etymologies blurb was coined by the american humorist gelett burgess in 1907. Dust jacket definition of dust jacket by the free dictionary. The modernstyle dust jacket was first introduced in the 1830salthough possibly earlier evidence is inconclusive. Dust jacket definition of dust jacket by medical dictionary.
Book jacket definition, a removable paper cover, usually illustrated, for protecting the binding of a book and usually giving information about the book and the author. Oh, and when you reach the website, read the promotional blurb. You may already have one blurb on the cover, probably your best blurb, or the one you could condense, maybe the biggest name. Douglas adamss meaning of liff redefined books the. That this is the volumes main thrust is not apparent from the dustjacket description or laudatory blurbs from colleagues. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. A removable paper cover, generally with a decorative design, used to protect a book from dirt or damage. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. A brief description of a book, often printed on the dust jacket. In this regard it resembles a tonsil, absorbing abuse on behalf of a larger, more. How to write your companys blurb practical ecommerce. A short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes.
In addition to its promotional role, the dust jacket protects the book covers from damag. Blurb definition is a short publicity notice as on a book jacket. The blurb about a new book, film, or exhibition is information about it that is written. The default is a black linen which you can upgrade to oatmeal or charcoal, pictured below. Trade books are available with a slate gray linen hardcover, and photo book formats come with a default black linen that you can upgrade to an oatmeal or charcoal color. Jacket meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. It appeared, as an example, in author and scholar brander matthews 1906 book, american character, and it was used to described short promotional descriptions printed on the front of a books dust jacket.
Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and. Apr 22, 2020 a dust jacket, also known as a dust cover or book cover, protects a books case from wear. Jan 14, 2010 free book jacket layout template for diy selfpublishers the book designer says. As the dust jacket blurb says, the information contained within is a hand grenade. May 09, 2017 i always like to include a blurb or three on the back, usually before or after the actual dust jacket copy. Dustjacket article about dustjacket by the free dictionary. Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a. The blurb about a new book, film, or exhibition is information about it that is written in order to attract peoples interest. A dust jacket, also known as a dust cover or book cover, protects a books case from wear.
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