Verso usually means the reverse side of a sheet or the left-hand page of an open book. But “Verso” is also used by unrelated organizations, including Verso Books and Verso.art. The full name matters: these are different things, and neither should be confused with the other.
What is a verso page in a book?
In publishing, a verso is the back of a sheet or the left-hand page when a book is open. Its counterpart, the recto, is the front of a sheet or the right-hand page. Cambridge Dictionary gives the usual page-numbering convention: verso pages are even-numbered and recto pages are odd-numbered.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) | $15.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power (Futures) | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Alone | $7.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Classes (Verso Classics) | $24.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Beowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition) | $9.41 | Buy on Amazon |
| Term | Position in an open book | Usual page number |
|---|---|---|
| Verso | Left-hand page | Even |
| Recto | Right-hand page | Odd |
These terms describe a page’s position and relationship to the sheet, not a particular kind of book or publisher. See Cambridge Dictionary’s definition of verso.
Is Verso Books the same as Verso.art?
No. Verso Books is a publisher; Verso.art is an online marketplace presenting original artworks. Their shared name does not indicate that they are the same organization.
| Name | What it is | What a customer is looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Verso Books | A publisher with a catalogue covering politics, current affairs, history, philosophy, social sciences, literature and art-related subjects. | A published book or edition. Verso Books says its books are available through booksellers. |
| Verso.art | An online marketplace presenting original artworks. | An artwork, rather than a book edition. |
Verso Books describes its catalogue and bookseller availability on its official website. Verso.art says its artworks are authenticated with ArtenRolls technology and offers a “View in Room” augmented-reality feature. Those are the marketplace’s own claims, not independently audited findings; its technology page explains them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What else uses the name Verso?
Verso.com is a separate fashion and beauty retailer. Its name should not be taken as evidence of a connection to either the publisher or the art marketplace. If you mean a particular organization, use its full name and link directly to its site. The retailer’s collections page lists its products and brands.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Current Price: $24.95
- Accepted Currencies: CAD, GBP, USD
- Page Count: 352
- Publication Month: April 2023
- ISBN: 9781804290484
Rank #3
How can you tell which “Verso” someone means?
- If the context is book layout, page numbering or printing, “verso” likely means the reverse or left-hand page, opposite the recto.
- If the context is a publisher catalogue or books, the name is Verso Books.
- If the context is buying original art or previewing it in a room, the name is Verso.art.
- If the context is fashion or beauty products, it may refer to the separate Verso.com retailer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
