What's the use of a dust jacket?

[SirJazzHands]

I know, the term "dust jacket" is self-explanatory, but..
Would there be any "damage" done to a book if I just take it off? Is there any true purpose behind it?

[Orpheus]

Honestly, I don't see any practical purpose in the dust jacket at all. In fact, if I purchase a book with a dust jacket, the first thing I do is take it off.

However, I'm sure that, from a publishers point of view, it is much cheaper to make a fancy-looking dust jacket cover than it would be to have a book bound in leather with gold inlays. Just a thought.

[armenian]

it protects against fire

[DapperDrake]

It gives the book a slightly longer life I suppose, the cover will be somewhat protected by the dust jacket, though I doubt very much that this is why the publishers use dust jackets.
I suppose the dust jacket gives the publisher advertising space for the book without having to spare expense on the cover itself. Plus dust jackets are easy to change for different target audiences, I imagine publishers might use different jackets to sell their books in different countries or even different regions without having to actually change the book at all.

[Gracewings]

I always thought it was to protect their retail shelf life, and that once bought, it would be removed. I usually leave them on unless it's borrowed from an individual, in that case, I remove them to ensure I can return it with the cover still looking new.

[blackbird_9]

Obviously, it serves as a shield from the miniature evil book munching demons. They're everywhere; we just can't see them. Or it could be what this lady has to say about it: http://www.readingbooks.info/Dustjackets.htm

[PeterL]

I know, the term "dust jacket" is self-explanatory, but..
Would there be any "damage" done to a book if I just take it off? Is there any true purpose behind it?

They make excellent bookmarks.

[Chester]

I hate them. The first thing I do when I get a book out of the store is throw the book jacket away. But then, I use books where other people just seem to read them. I dog-ear the pages, I write in the margins. Over time, a well-used book of mine becomes like an old comfortable pair of sneakers. I think that's the way good books are supposed to be treated.

[Scheherazade]

I hate them. The first thing I do when I get a book out of the store is throw the book jacket away. But then, I use books where other people just seem to read them. I dog-ear the pages, I write in the margins. Over time, a well-used book of mine becomes like an old comfortable pair of sneakers. I think that's the way good books are supposed to be treated.Hear, hear!

[sprinks]

I remove them too. I love the look of the actual book, rather than the plastic over it. It just looks so much nicer. The only ones I leave on are the ones on books that were given as gifts that I don't really use... Such as one I got from an aunt on Bakelite jewelry.

[novelsryou]

When buying new books I couldn't care less if they came with a dust jacket or not but when buying them from Amazon I always look for older additions and look for ones with a dust jacket, they just seem more complete that way.

[Erichtho]

I hate them. The first thing I do when I get a book out of the store is throw the book jacket away. But then, I use books where other people just seem to read them. I dog-ear the pages, I write in the margins. Over time, a well-used book of mine becomes like an old comfortable pair of sneakers. I think that's the way good books are supposed to be treated.

Aaaaaaaa! :eek2:
That's horrible. When I don't have a bookmark then there's always some paper to use instead. Never would I dog-ear the pages, God forbid! I also don't write on the margins, I use memos for that.
For me books aren't only reading material, but have also an aesthetic dimension - and a nice dust jacket is one component that makes a book more aesthetically pleasing. Actually I'm one of those people who want to protect the dust jacket and take it off while reading. :blush:

[Chester]

For me books aren't only reading material, but have also an aesthetic dimension
I can’t think of anything more aesthetically pleasing than a worn-in book. It’s like a comfortable old sweater. Or that sweatshirt you have that your wife wants to throw out, but you keep it because it fits so well and you just don’t care about the mustard and beer stains. Or a perfectly broken-in catcher’s mitt. Yeah, that’s it. Like a catcher’s mitt.

[Scheherazade]

I can’t think of anything more aesthetically pleasing than a worn-in book. It’s like a comfortable old sweater. Or that sweatshirt you have that your wife wants to throw out, but you keep it because it fits so well and you just don’t care about the mustard and beer stains. Or a perfectly broken-in catcher’s mitt. Yeah, that’s it. Like a catcher’s mitt.This has reminded me of a discussion we had long time ago on this subject (How do you treat your books?) and my reply:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showpost.php?p=150979&postcount=30

[PeterL]

This thread was about the use of a dust jacket, but most people have groused about the existence of such things. Dust jackets have many uses beyond what I mentioned earlier. They can be used as wallcoverings, placemats, sunshades, or in any other place that a piece of paper can be used. Authors frequently leave them around or hang them on walls to advertise their sales. I am sure that others can think of even more actual or potential uses for the things.

[Erichtho]

I can’t think of anything more aesthetically pleasing than a worn-in book. It’s like a comfortable old sweater. Or that sweatshirt you have that your wife wants to throw out, but you keep it because it fits so well and you just don’t care about the mustard and beer stains. Or a perfectly broken-in catcher’s mitt. Yeah, that’s it. Like a catcher’s mitt.

Our definitions of what is aesthetical differ greatly. While an old sweater certainly is comfortable, I would never call it aesthetically pleasing. Sure we like to wear it, but do we like (others) to see us in it?


This has reminded me of a discussion we had long time ago on this subject (How do you treat your books?) and my reply:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showpost.php?p=150979&postcount=30

I don't have a problem with books looking read, that's natural and unavoidable (fingerprints, a line on the spine, a slightly crumpled part of a page etc). But there is a difference between such things and the conscious destruction like dog-earing.

[DapperDrake]

I keep books in very good condition, you would be hard pressed to even be able to tell that I've read a book from its condition. Even paperbacks, I never bend the spine, never fold the pages, and always treat books with respect, even if they're just a cheap paperback.
90% of the books that I've read, even several times, you could take out of my book case and put in a book shop as new and you couldn't tell the difference.

[Chester]

Dog ears!

[raider60]

I love dust jackets; nearly all of the books in my library have them, as well as mylar covers. For me they are almost like a statement the publisher makes about the book; they also, in a wierd kind of way, remind me of album covers. For all you young folks out there, albums are what we old folks used to listen to BITD before 8 track tapes, cassettes, and CD's came along--

[curlyqlink]

But there is a difference between such things and the conscious destruction like dog-earing.

I don't dog-ear, but I have nothing against those who do. I do like to make notes in the margins-- I figure that's what margins are for. As well as endpapers. Post-it flags, on the other hand, make me nuts.

I hold that books are more aesthetically pleasing when they look a little beat up. That way, it looks like somebody has actually read 'em, they haven't been purchased for display only. Other things that look better when they're a little worn are bluejeans, pickup trucks and barbecue grills.