|
|
|
A Guide to the terms we use for describing book descriptions
|
CONDITION STATEMENTS
|
Below is a list of standard condition descriptions used by book collectors and book sellers. They are, of course, used subjectively and one person’s Very good can be another’s Fine. We try to be conservative & also note any major flaws. We note dust jacket condition separately and only if present. We seldom note the absence of a dust jacket as many books were issued without dust jackets and the mistaken description of a missing non-existant dust jacket has often led to confusion.Our Book grading:AS NEW - Unhandled; still in the publisher's shrink wrapFINE - Almost new. May show the merest traces of handling or use. Appearing to be unowned and unread. Note: A book with a remainder mark is not 'FINE'.VERY GOOD - Modest wear may show signs of previous ownership; Dust Jacket*, if present, may show faint blemishing (light scuffs, nicks, fading, few small edge tears)GOOD - Average wear, aging, fading & soiling. DJ*, if present, with chips and tears.FAIR - Used worn and/or soiled, but complete and usable.POOR - Not worth selling or buying, might have one or two reads left in it.Ex-library (Ex-lib) - has the usual library markings such as rubber or blind stamp on title page and/or edges, pockets at one end or the other, label on the spine, etc. This is used in combinition with the above grades.D.J. or Dust Jacket also called Dust Wrapper (DW). We usually describe the DJ condition separately as follows:Fine - as good as you would find in a new book store.Very good - modest wear, no noticible blemishes, price not clipped.Good - average wear, some light fading or soiling, price may be clippedChipped - 'good' but chipped around the edgesWorn - noticible fading and or soiling, some chips and scratchesTattered - very worn, tears & some pieces gone.
|
|
