Book Condition Grading Description

 
Used Second-Hand Vintage Collectible Books

Most of my books are *USED* second-hand books, *USED* second-hand VINTAGE collectibles, previously owned and read, unless stated "NEW" so there will be reasonable, normal wear which is to be expected of used books. Many are out-of-print, hard to find, and some times rare books. Many, but not all, will be library discard books with all the library markings of card pockets, stamps, bar codes, and labels. They are all really good books but they are *NOT* in perfect condition. Some are graded "Very Good" but they still are "USED" and WILL have normal wear -- they're simply better than "Good Condition." I try to keep the cost as low as possible so the condition description IS NOT A PAGE BY PAGE description. To do so with the amount of time involved would raise the dollar price of books. The descriptions are generalities by thumbing through the book. I grade books on overall quality, IE. the cover as well as the inside. Flaws are noted in my description.


ALLERGIES AND OLD BOOKS - I clean all the book covers myself but I have not personally owned these used items and books so I can't guarantee them to be allergen free. If you have allergies of any kind (dust, smoke, food, animal, plant) please, do not purchase any books from my lists, as I can't be responsible for allergic reactions to old, vintage items.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) which became law as of August 14, 2008, taking effect February 10, 2009, all books dated Pre-1985 are "Vintage - Collectible" books to be used by parents to read to their children or for collectors. They are not for children age 12 and under. Copyright dates are in my description.

Grading Terms:

Fine (F) – looks new, no major flaws but possible light shelf wear, no writing or owner's name, never an ex-library discard.
Near Fine (NF) - A handsome copy, may have owners name inside, possible few, minor cosmetic defects, pages clean and bright, may not have dust jacket, never an ex-library discard.
Very Good (VG) – generally clean, tight, copy with slight wear, pages overall clean but may be a little dull, possible name inside, may not have dust jacket, may some times be an ex- library discard which will be noted.
Good (G) – good solid copy, slightly more wear, possible markings or nicks or bumps, small tears, minor smudges, fading, little fraying at spine extremities, a good spine with possible slight wobble which will be noted, pages may be discolored with age and have a few spots or smudges, may not have dust jacket, may be an ex-library discard which will be noted.

I grade major flaws by the "Reading Copy" description below but I am unable to inspect each and every page in great detail so not every little thing is described.. Your satisfaction is important so if you prefer books in "New" condition, MINT, never used, Near Fine condition, with not a spot or sign of wear, the most very attractive copies and collectible books, PLEASE, do not purchase any books with the "Reading Copy" description below. As a parent, if you don't mind more than the normal wear for holding/handling while you read to your children, these books may be what you want. The main thing is that *YOU* *ARE* pleased with your purchase, I would not want you disappointed. :-) These type of books below are not books a collector would normally want, they're for the parent who wants to have book in hand, a child on the lap, and other children gathered around to read a good story together. If not used by a mom or dad to read aloud to their children these "Reading Copy" books would be good for a person to learn book repair or use for altered mixed media arts. Please, do not place an order if you do not understand or agree with my ordering policies. THANK YOU!!!

Reading Copy - "Reading Copy" does NOT relate to dollar value; Reading Copy means "condition" of book: This copy is not something a collector would normally want, it's more for the parent who wants to have book in hand, a child on the lap, and other children gathered around to read a good story together – this book most often but not always is an ex-library discard, IS NOT examined page by page, there will be MORE THAN THE USUAL -- VERY obvious major flaws, may or may not have dust jacket, if there is a dust jacket there's possible chipping or open tears/missing pieces or repaired tears, the book itself may have weak, loose, split or wobbly spine/hinge, pages have become very yellow with age and may have major stained or loose, messy pages with smudges, creases, folds, have some writing, open tears/missing pieces, repaired tears--a lot of tape, etc., but generally intact, not pretty at all but solid enough copy for the parent to read to their children -- AND, if not used by a mom or dad to read to their children this kind of book would be good for the resourceful, creative person to learn how to repair and recover books or use for altered mixed media arts. Please, do not place an order if you do not understand or agree with my ordering policies. THANK YOU!!!

Also, family taste in literature will vary from family to family and what will be appropriate for and preferred by one family will not be for others. I try to list mostly books that are similar to ours but, please, use your own discretion for the needs of your own family when purchasing books -- buyer is responsible for the preferences of your own family. Please, do not place an order if you do not understand or agree with my ordering policies. THANK YOU!!!

It is important that *YOU* *ARE* pleased with your purchase, I would not want you disappointed.

Thank you for your understanding of USED, SECOND-HAND, VINTAGE, COLLECTIBLE and READING COPY books and family preferences!

Thank you for viewing my books! :-)

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