Book Condition Grades

CONDITION GRADES USED ON THIS WEBSITE

I use the traditional book grading scale and definitions that can be found listed and defined in authoritative trade and bookcollector publications, such as Firsts, The Book Collector's Magazine and Book Source Magazine, as well as in numerous authoritative reference books.

My practice is to grade strictly in accord with the literal language of the definitions.

Accordingly, condition grades are defined as follows:

AS NEW or VERY FINE or MINT - These three terms are interchangable and have the same meaning, when applied to collectible books. The book must be free of any defects and in the same crisp, immaculate, "mint" condition, as when it was first assembled. It cannot have been previously read, no matter how carefully.

FINE - The book has no wear or defects. But the crisp immaculate perfection of mint condition is no longer present. The book may have been carefully read. Unread books that have been displayed, handled and browsed are no longer "mint" (aka "as new" or "very fine"), and cannot be graded higher than "FINE" condition. - A book description on this website for a "FINE" condition book will normally include the descriptive phrase, "No flaws or wear noted."

VERY GOOD - Describes a book that shows only minor wear or defects, and so is still appealing and collectible. All wear and defects will be listed & described.

When condition of a book falls between the lower condition grades listed above, that may be indicated with a Plus or Minus. For example - "VERY GOOD PLUS" or "VERY GOOD MINUS". An exception is that we never say "FINE MINUS"; instead, we say "NEAR FINE" - And the definitions of "AS NEW" and "FINE" preclude the possiblity of there being grades such as "Near As New, As New Minus, or Fine Plus".

In any case, all flaws and wear that may be present will be listed and described.

I have omitted the grades, "Good, Fair, & Poor", from this list, since I do not intend to list books in those conditions on this website.