General Grading System

Grading terms may vary a lot between different dealers or collectors. A "Fine" grade for one dealer or individual may equal an "Exceptional" grade for another.

The grades may be graded more finely, using "plus" and "minus" symbols to further describe which end of the grade the item may fall into.

Generally, VERY FINE or MINT are the highest grades used to refer to a book, pulp magazine or post card that is as new, with no defects. We very rarely grade anything as mint because we are conservative in our grading.

FINE refers to a book, pulp magazine or post card with some very minor and acceptable defects.

VERY GOOD indicates a nice collectable book, pulp or post card with several small-to-moderate defects. In general, when graded fairly, VG should represent an item in decent collectable condition, sufficient to meet the needs of most collectors without requiring an "upgrade".

A book, pulp or post card graded GOOD or lower is not considered collectable, except perhaps, as a "filler copy" or an "example copy" within a collection until a better replacement can be found. Grades such as VG-, GOOD, FAIR, and POOR are mainly suitable as reading or example copies.

We do not post anything in good condition unless it is rare, and we do not post anything less than good condition.

Grading System for Hardcover Books

VF-Very Fine: A "very fine" book is in its original condition when it was issued. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
F-Fine: A "fine" book could have very light discoloration likely from aging, or one minor flaw such as very minor wear on one corner. Without the minor wear, the book would be very fine or mint. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
NF-Near Fine: A "near fine" book covers are clean and unmarked, back cover may have minor marks. Corner wear is minimal. There are no creases, bends, or rounded corners.
VG-Very Good: A "very good" book is generally clean. Corners may be a bit blunt or have slight edge wear. Any creases, tears or bends are almost undetectable and does not distract from the overall appearance of the front of the book.
G-Good: A "good" book has more faults than a "very good" book but is still attractive. Corners, spines and edges may have noticeable wear. Bends and creases are also noticeable. In addition, the book may have light discoloration, light edge wear and minor production flaws.
P-Poor: A "poor" book has more flaws than a "good" book, and is generally used as a filler or used as an example copy.

Grading System for Paperback Books

VF-Very Fine: A "very fine" paperback is in its original condition when it was issued. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
F-Fine: A "fine" paperback could have very light discoloration likely from aging, or one minor flaw such as very minor wear on one corner. Without the minor wear, the paperback would be very fine or mint. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws. The spine is flat with no significant flaws.
NF-Near Fine: A "near fine" paperback front cover is clean and unmarked, back cover may have minor writing or minor marks. Corner wear is minimal. There are no creases, bends, or rounded corners.
VG-Very Good: A "very good" paperback is generally clean. Corners may be a bit blunt or have slight edge wear. Any creases or bends are almost undetectable and does not distract from the overall appearance of the front of the book.
G-Good: A "good" paperback has more faults than a "very good" book but is still attractive. Corners may have noticeable wear. Bends and creases are also noticeable. In addition, the book may have light discoloration, light edge wear and minor production flaws.
P-Poor: A "poor" paperback has more flaws than a "good" paperback, and is generally used as a filler or used as an example copy.

Grading System for Pulp Magazines

VF-Very Fine: A "very fine" pulp magazine will have off-white or very light creamy tan pages. The covers are nearly flawless with only the most minor rubbing or color flaking. The spine is flat with no significant flaws.
F-Fine: A "fine" pulp magazine; is a paperback that could have very light discoloration likely from aging, or one minor flaw such as very minor wear on one corner. Without the minor wear, the paperback would be very fine. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
NF-Near Fine: A "near fine" paperback front cover is clean and unmarked, back cover may have minor writing or minor marks. Corner wear is minimal. There are no creases, bends, or rounded corners.
VG-Very Good: A "very good" paperback is generally clean. Corners may be a bit blunt or have slight edge wear. Any creases or bends are almost undetectable and does not distract from the overall appearance of the front of the book.
G-Good: A "good" paperback has more faults than a "very good" book but is still attractive. Corners may have noticeable wear. Bends and creases are also noticeable. In addition, the book may have light discoloration, light edge wear and minor production flaws.
P-Poor: A "poor" paperback has more flaws than a "good" paperback, and is generally used as a filler or used as an example copy.

Grading System for Post Cards

VF-Very Fine: A "very fine" post card is in its original condition when it was issued. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
F-Fine: A "fine" post card could have very light discoloration likely from aging, or one minor flaw such as very minor wear on one corner. Without the minor wear, the card would be very fine or mint. There are no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
NF-Near Fine: A "near fine" post card, Picture side of card is clean and unmarked, backside may have writing or be postally used. Corner wear is minimal. There are no creases, bends, or rounded corners.
VG-Very Good: A "very good" post card is generally clean. Corners may be a bit blunt or have slight edge wear. Any creases or bends are almost undetectable and does not distract from the overall appearance of the picture side of the card. Although the card may be used and writing may appear on the address side, no writing appears on the front, unless it does not detract from the overall appearance.
G-Good: A "good" post card has more faults than a "very good" card but is still attractive. Corners may be noticeably rounded or have blunts. Slight bends and creases are also noticeable. In addition to light discoloration, slight edge wear and minor production flaws, writing may appear in the margins on the front of the card. Also, the postmark may bleed through slightly to the front.
P-Poor: A "poor" post card has more flaws than a "good" post card, and is generally used as a filler or used as an example copy.

Grading System for Trade Cards

VF-Very Fine: A "very fine" trade card is in its original condition when it was issued. There is no writing, stamps, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
F-Fine: A "fine" trade card could have very light discoloration likely from aging, or one minor flaw such as very minor wear on one corner. Without the minor wear, the card would be very fine or mint. There are no writing, bends, creases, marks, or production flaws.
NF-Near Fine: A "near fine" trade card, both sides of the card are clean and unmarked. Corner wear is minimal. There are no creases, bends, or rounded corners.
VG-Very Good: A "very good" trade card is generally clean. Corners may be a bit blunt or have slight edge wear. Any creases or bends are almost undetectable and does not distract from the overall appearance of the picture side of the card. The card may have some aging and glue/paper residue, but any text on the reverse side is unaffected.
G-Good: A "good" trade card has more faults than a "very good" card but is still attractive. Corners may be noticeably rounded or have blunts. Slight bends and creases are also noticeable. In addition to light discoloration, slight edge wear and minor production flaws, glue/paper residue may appear on the reverse side and may affect text.
P-Poor: A "poor" trade card has more flaws than a "good" trade card, and is generally used as a filler or used as an example copy.

Definition of Defects

The nature of defects found in collectable paperbacks, post cards and pulps is varied. All defects result in lowering the grade down from and otherwise-fine item. Here are some common defects you might see mentioned in dealer catalogs:

BUMPS: These usually appear on corners. At the extreme, they could tear, crease, and/or warp the item from front to back. A mild bump may appear as a very slight bend at the point of impact.

CHIPS or NICKS: These occur at the top or bottom of the spine or the edges. They refer to removal of a small area of color or a portion of the item's cover/edge.

CORNER CLIP: The removal of a triangular corner of a book.
CREASES: May occur at the edges. It can be minor (barely visible) or harsh (in which case the crease may extend across an item's surface).

DARKENING or FADING: These problems may occur to post cards, covers, spines and interior pages. Most commonly, fading is caused by sun exposure and interior pages become darkened (and brittle) with age.

FRONT COVER LIFT: This happens when books are bound too tightly, causing the cover to raise or curl up slightly.

GLASS or CUP RING MARKS: These are visible on post cards and the covers of books and used as coasters.

LAMINATION LIFT or LAMINATION PEEL: This refers to the thin clear film bonded (laminated) to the color image on the exterior of many early paperback books. As the books age and are rubbed against one another this lamination begins to peel back, fray or lift, at the book edges.

LOOSE PAGES or MISSING PAGES: Are self-explanatory. They should always be noted in a book's description.

READING CREASES: These are lengthwise creases on the spine or on the book covers adjacent to the spine. They result from flattening the book when it is opened to read, or during normal reading.

REMAINDER MARKS: This is a general term for a physical change made to a book by a publisher, distributor or bookseller to indicate that the book is non-returnable or price reduced. These changes include rubber stamps (on covers or page edges), blind-emboss stamps, rounded and/or clipped corners, a neat sawcut on an edge, a punched-hole through the cover or marker stripes on the page edges.

RUBBING: This often reduces the gloss on the surface without affecting the color of the image. An erasure can have the same effect on the surface.

SCRAPES: These can be scratches made to the surface by a sharp implement.

SCUFFING: This can range from slight dulling of covers (where the book was rubbed along a shelf or against another book), all the way to a more serious bruise removing some of the color layer.

SPINE ROLL: The spine has been bent lengthwise so that, looking down at the book, this spine is not at right angles to the covers. This occurs when a book is "well read."

STICKER-PULL: Discoloration or the actual removal of cover color by pulling off a price sticker.

STORE STAMP: These often appear on front endpapers. This defect is more serious when it appears on the exteriors of covers.

TAPE REPAIRS or TAPE STRENGTHENING: Are self-explanatory. They should always be noted in a description.

TEARS: Are self-explanatory. They should always be noted in a description.

WARPING: Books or post cards which are bent or rippled. This can occur from production flaws, poor storage or handling, or from water damage.

WATER DAMAGE: This is sometimes visible on post cards, book covers and often on interior pages or page edges. Discoloration of tinted page edges sometimes results, as does warping.

WRITING: May be on post card front, detracting from the original appearance, or on the back, which is more acceptable to most collectors. May be on book covers, spine or interior. Invisible writing (indentation) sometimes shows on the surface when used as a writing surface.

Can be marker, ballpoint pen or pencil. May refer to obliteration of the original cover price as well as re-written cover prices, owner's signatures and underlining.

General Grading	Definition of Defects	Hardcover Books
Paperback Books	Pulp Magazines	Post Cards
	Trade Cards