Condition or Grading

Condition of a book is in the form of VG/VG, Fine/Good, VG/--, etc. The first designation is the condition of the book, the second designation is the condition of the dust jacket. If a "/--" is present, it means that the dustjacket is not present.

Plus (+) and Minus (-) are used to quantify conditions between the primary levels of condition.

An example: F/VG+ indicates a Fine book condition and a better-than Very Good (but not Fine) jacket condition.

As New - The book is in immaculate condition, as-published. No defects, no damage, and dustjacket (if issued with one) is perfect.

Fine (F or FN) - Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. No defects, no damage. Any jacket defects are noted.

Very Good (VG) - Shows some signs of wear, but no damage on either binding or paper. Any defects are noted.

Good (G) - An average, used, worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects are noted. Typically a reading copy rather than an example for your collection. The best overall value for the reader.

Fair - A worn book that has complete text pages and plates, but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. which are noted. Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects are noted. A reading copy or candidate for rebinding if sufficiently valuable.

Poor - A book worn to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete, legible text. Any missing plates maps or plates are noted. The copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. A reading copy or candidate for rebinding if sufficiently valuable.

The interpretation of terms is somewhat arbitrary, but this is the A B Bookman "system" we use for describing any given book.

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