Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Frontispiece • Board • Edition Size

Endpapers

Term from Rare Book Dealing industry explained for recruiters

Endpapers are the special pages found at the beginning and end of books that connect the text block (the pages) to the cover. In the rare book trade, these pages are very important because they can tell a lot about a book's history, value, and condition. Think of them like a book's handshake – they're often the first thing you see when opening an old book, and their condition can significantly affect the book's worth. They might contain valuable information like previous owner signatures, bookplates, or special decorative patterns that book collectors care about.

Examples in Resumes

Specialized in evaluating endpapers and binding conditions of 18th-century volumes

Documented and photographed endpapers for rare book catalog descriptions

Restored damaged endpapers in consultation with professional conservators

Typical job title: "Rare Book Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Rare Book Dealer Antiquarian Bookseller Book Conservator Rare Book Cataloger Book Conservation Specialist Antiquarian Book Expert Rare Book Librarian

Where to Find Rare Book Specialists

Professional Organizations

Online Resources

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you evaluate the significance of different types of endpapers in determining a book's value?

Expected Answer: A senior specialist should discuss how different periods used different types of endpapers, how to date them, recognize valuable marbled patterns, and explain how condition and decorative elements affect book value. They should also mention how endpapers can provide provenance information.

Q: What conservation decisions would you make regarding damaged historic endpapers?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of when to preserve original endpapers versus when to replace them, understanding of conservation ethics, and ability to work with conservators to make appropriate decisions for valuable books.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you describe endpapers in a catalog listing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain how to accurately describe the type, condition, and special features of endpapers, including any historical marks or decorative elements, using standard trade terminology.

Q: What are the key periods and styles of decorative endpapers?

Expected Answer: Should be able to identify and describe major historical styles like marbled, printed, and hand-decorated endpapers, and roughly date them by appearance and construction.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic parts of endpapers in a book?

Expected Answer: Should be able to identify and name the basic parts: pastedowns (attached to covers) and flyleaves (free pages), and explain their basic function in book construction.

Q: What do you look for when examining endpapers for condition issues?

Expected Answer: Should be able to identify common problems like foxing, tears, paste stains, and detachment, and understand how these affect book value.