What price-clipping is
A price-clipped jacket has the corner of the front flap — where the printed price sits — neatly cut away, traditionally so a book given as a gift wouldn’t show its cost. The clip is usually a small diagonal or triangular cut at the flap’s lower or upper corner.
Why it matters for identification and value
For some titles the jacket price is a point of issue — first printings carry one price and later printings a higher one, so a clipped jacket removes a dating clue. Price-clipping also reduces value: collectors prefer an unclipped jacket with the original price intact. A clipped jacket is noted as “price-clipped” in any honest description.
Frequently asked questions
Does price-clipping make a book not a first edition?
No — the book is whatever it is. But the jacket price can be a point of issue for some titles, so clipping removes evidence and lowers the jacket's value.
How do I know if a jacket is price-clipped?
Check the corners of the front flap. If a small corner is neatly cut away where the price would be printed, it's price-clipped.