Grading Books.
NOTE: There are several grading scales used by book sellers (IOBA, AB
Bookman, etc.), and any of the recognized scales can be used and noted
in the descriptions. The grading scale below is the standard for
CollectorsBookMarket.com and it is similar to other grading scales.
When you list an item on CollectorsBookMarket.com, you must adhere to
these standards. Items that are incorrectly graded will be removed
until the seller revises their description. Any member can report
a misdescribed or incorrectly graded item using the 'Report Item' button
at the bottom of every listing.
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Important
Rules for Sellers |
This field value is a general condition
value which helps narrow search and browse results. A more
detailed description of your item's condition listing any defects should
always be included in the description field.
Ex-library copies must always be
noted as such. The highest condition for ex-library
copies is Very Good even if it is otherwise
As New.
Book Club editions must always be noted as such no matter what the
condition
of the book.
No book is to be graded up with the rational "for its age". |
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New |
New is to be used only
when the book has never been sold to the public and is in the same condition as when it was
first
published. There can be no defects and the dustjacket (if it was issued
with one) must be included and without defects. |
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Fine |
Fine approaches the condition of New,
and should be crisp and bright. It should not have any
defects. |
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NF |
Near Fine is a book that has some
very light wear or one minor defect, but has no significant defects and is otherwise in Fine
condition |
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VG |
Very Good can describe a used
book that shows some wear or has some minor defects . Any defects must be noted.
This is the highest
grade that an ex-library item can have and
should only be used for those
ex-library items that appear As New except for some
very minimal, neat library markings with no tape marks. If the
library markings are significant, the condition falls to Good even
if the book is otherwise As New.
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Good |
Good describes the average used book that
has all pages present, but has significant or multiple minor defects that reflect a
well read book. The book, however, should not have missing pages
or other major defects. Ex-library books that are moderately worn or marked, but are otherwise
solid, tight reading copies qualify as Good.
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Fair |
Fair is a worn book that has the complete
text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack an endpaper,
half-title, or other non-essential page (any of which must be noted). Binding may also be worn
or loose, but holding. All defects must be noted.
Ex-library
books that have loose bindings or boards showing clearly through the
worn corners or edges should be graded Fair.
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Poor |
Poor describes a book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is
as a
Reading Copy because it does have the complete text which must be
legible.
Any missing maps, illustrations or plates should still be noted. The
Poor grade should be used when the book is
extensively worn, soiled,
scuffed, stained, has missing non-text pages or endpapers, loose pages,
split hinges, any strong odor, damp stain or water spotting, mildew
spots, foxing, insect damage, etc. |
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Disbound |
Use for any book that would be classified
as a Binding Copy Only: A book in which the textblock* is
complete and relatively free from defects, marks, and soiling, but has
been completely removed from its binding or the binding is very bad,
loose, off, or non-existent.. Any missing pages or page defects should
be noted in the description. |
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N/A |
N/A = Not Applicable - for non-book items that don't need to be
qualified by condition |
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Undeclared |
The default value for this field. Items with this value generally
indicate a book that was bulk uploaded, but the seller didn't want to
take the time to edit their records to take advantage of our unique
identifier fields which aid buyers who are browsing or searching for
particular kinds of items. Buyers have the option to include or
exclude the
Undeclared value from their search or browse results..
NOTE: A detailed description of your item's condition
should always be included in the description field. |