Frontispieces

/ˈfrʌntɪspiːsɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural of frontispiece; multiple illustrations or decorative pages at the front of books, or the principal front façades of multiple buildings.

Etymology

Regular English plural of frontispiece, formed by adding '-es.' Used since at least the 17th century in English book publishing terminology.

Kelly Says

Collectors of rare books obsess over frontispieces because variations in these illustrations can determine a book's edition, print run, and value—a single missing or different frontispiece can change a book's worth by thousands of dollars.

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