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Hey y'all,

I've noticed a few first editions (and possibly other editions) where the dust jacket is smaller than the book itself. The latest was a first edition Night Shift where the book was taller by about half an inch and stuck out on the bottom and top of the dustjacket a quarter of an inch each way. Do you have any explanation or information on this issue?

Thanks!

Josh

I haven't seen a jacket trimmed short, but I have seen jackets put in Brodart type covers where part of the top and bottom of the jacket is hidden by parts of the archive cover.

Not sure I'm explaining correctly for what I'm trying to say.

If I can locate a picture I will post it here.

Ralph

Possibly a Book Club dust jacket on a first edition book?

Book Club editions are notably smaller when stacked next to first editions.

Also a clue they are book club will be lack of price on inner flap.

I have seen several trimmed jackets over the years. Usually to hide that it had nibbled edges.

All good points above. I love the "nibbled edges" remark.

I'm still looking for the picture I mentioned. The archive cover had brown on the top and bottom (making the jacket look cut) but when the archive cover was removed, the jacket wasn't trimmed at all and found fully intact. Hopefully I can find it.

Mulleins

Thanks for the info. Especially the nibbles
Here are a few pics of what I’m talking about…

I think if you were to remove the plastic cover, you'd discover that the dust jacket is full-size and the plastic cover has brown bars at the top and bottom.

If you look closely at the top of the back dust jacket flap picture, you can see that the dust jacket continues under the brown bar.

I believe you're correct. The above pictures is exactly what I was trying to explain (but couldn't get my fingers to type it out...hahahaha).

Remove the Brodart cover, the jacket is probably not trimmed.

Ralph

If some of that dullness and rubbing is on the Brodart cover itself, replacing it with a newer one may also make the book look better.

It won't help with the stains or the wrinkling at the top of the dust jacket, but may help with an overall cleaner look.