out-of-seriesadj.
/ˌaʊtəvˈsɪərɪz/, U.S. /ˌaʊdə(v)ˈsɪriz/ Designating an unnumbered copy of a limited edition of a book (see quot. 1952).
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society > communication > printing > publishing > a publication > [adjective] > type of edition
unpirated1823
limited edition1892
out-of-series1952
1952 J. Carter ABC for Book-collectors 128 Of an edition specifically limited in number, there will usually be printed some extra copies... Such copies are understood not to invalidate the certificate of limitation; and their status is sometimes indicated by the words out of series, instead of a number.
1977 Q. Jrnl. Libr. Congr. July 233/2 The copy acquired by the Library is an out-of-series, unnumbered example on Arches paper.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1952