The descriptions of book grades that follow are intended to outline the relative condition of books in various states of preservation. These standards are based on trade practices recommended by The American Book Association to avoid misunderstandings in the buy, selling, and advertising of books.
BOOK GRADES
Grade of a book is usually shown in the form of VG/VG, Fine/Good, VG/--, etc. The first part is the condition of the book, the second is the condition of the dust jacket. If a "--" is present, it usually means that the dustjacket is not present.
C10 New. The finest quality available. A new book is unread, in print and in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
C9 As New (AN). To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dustjacket (if issued) must be perfect, without any tears.
C8 Fine (F or FN). Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine, there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
C7 Near Fine (NF ). Approaches the condition of Fine, but without being quite as clean and crisp, with perhaps the slightest shelf wear. For the use of the term Near Fine, there must be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
C6 Very Good + (VG+). Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
C5 Very Good (VG). Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
C3 Good (G). Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
C2 Fair (FR). Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects must be noted.
C1 Poor (P). Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
BOOK SIZES
4to- A book that is up to 12" tall.
8vo - A book that is up to 9 ¾" tall.
12mo - A book that is up to 7 ¾" tall.
16mo - A book that is up to 6 ¾" tall.
24mo - A book that is up to 5 ¾" tall.
32mo - A book that is up to 5" tall.
48mo - A book that is up to 4" tall.
64mo - A book that is up to 3" tall.
Folio - A book that is up to 15" tall.
Elephant Folio - A book that is up to 23" tall.
Atlas Folio - A book that is up to 25" tall.
Double Elephant Folio - A book that is up to 50" tall.
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No, not all first edition books have value. In fact, the vast majority, 95% or more, of all first edition books have very little value. Only first editions by certain authors have any significant value.
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Our 10-point scale for grading vintage paperback rarities is similar to systems already adopted in other markets. By using a set of standardized grading terms, we can ensure the growth of the hobby now and in the future.
We have outlined the various grades, and described the specifications for each. These grading definitions are intended to help you rate the condition of your vintage paperback. As in any collectible, the better the condition of an item, the more valuable it is.
A+
10 on a scale of 1 to 10.
AN (As New)
Perfect, i.e. - brilliant, unusually bright, glossy, white pages, sharp, pristine, etc. Seldom used by professionals since it represents perfection...and perfection is extremely rare.
A
9 on a scale of 1 to 10.
F (Fine)
Virtually flawless. Superb. For a book to receive this grade it may have only the slightest traces of wear noticeable upon very close inspection. Inside, the pages must be creamy, no trace of brown, and also there can be no name plates or other writing inside the book. Outside, the spine must be solid and clean with no fading. Very tiny amounts of wear to the spine may be present. No crease of any kind is permitted. The book appears to be perfect but upon close inspection tiny problems can be found. Generally, the highest grade found in the marketplace since C10 is an extremely rare grade.
A-
8 on a scale of 1 to 10.
AF (About Fine)
An exceptional copy. Acceptable to all but the most finicky collector. This is a sharp, almost Fine copy. It can have no major defects but may have an accumulation of several minor ones, such as a tiny color chip on the spine or extremities. Other possible flaws might include a small, penciled arrival mark on the cover on an otherwise Fine book. No creases. Pages can be slightly yellowed, but not brown.
B+
7 on a scale of 1 to 10.
VGF (Very Good to Fine)
Slightly worn. Closer to VG than to AF, but still a very well preserved copy without major defects. Pages will not be brown, and no name plate or writing can be on the endpages. Light spine wear/flaking, or minor cover wear is the typical problems with books in this grade. A light reading crease along the spine or very minor corner crease might be present.
B
6 on a scale of 1 to 10.
VG (Very Good)
The typical used paperback in average condition. A solid copy, although with wear and defects to be expected. Unusual problems will be noted. The book can have very slight browning of pages but not brittleness or flaking; it may also have a small name written on an endpage, or a small nameplate.
Minor peeling of the lamination covering the book can be expected, but extreme peeling will eliminate the book from this grade. A corner crease (1/4" or less) or two can be present, but numerous creases are not allowed in this grade. A light reading crease along the spine is normal for this grade.
A minor spine roll is allowable, a heavy spine roll is not ailowable in this grade unless noted and the book is a higher grade otherwise. General spine wear can be expected, however, unusually heavy spine wear is not permitted in this grade. The spine should be complete and solid, if not - major problems should be described - such as a split spine. In any case, a spine split should be described to length and should eliminate the book from this grade if it is over 3/4" in length. Tape anywhere on the book is not allowed in this grade. A small pen mark on the cover can be present if noted, but not if large, heavy, or if affecting the eye appeal of the book.
Damp stains prevent the book from being C6. One small arrival date is allowable without being noted, but any other writing on the cover should be noted. Sun-fading on the spine or cover should be described, and if significant, should prevent the example from the VG grade. Insect or rodent damage is not allowable in this grade. Price stickers or peel-marks from removal of a price sticker is allowable in the VG grade only when the area affected is small and not a serious detraction from the cover art. No color touchup with colored markers is allowable in this grade.
B-
5 on a scale of 1 to 10.
VG- (Very Good Minus)
C
4 on a scale of 1 to 10.
GVG (Good to Very Good)
A borderline book that is closer to VG than it is to G. The accrual of several of the above mentioned defects should move an otherwise VG book to this grade. Books in this grade are similar in appearance to a VG book, but with heavier or more severe creases, flaking, etc. Minor dampstains are permitted in this grade.
C-
3 on a scale of 1 to 10.
G (Good)
A worn, creased, flaked example. Crumpled and worn corners. Tape, waterstains, writing, brittleness of pages, pieces or chips missing, heavily rolled spine etc., are to be expected in this grade. Typically a reading-copy only, with all pages complete.
D
2 on a scale of 1 to 10.
FR (Fair)
The lower grades are separated by degrees of damage. The accumulation of many defects lowers a book from the C3 grade down to the C2.
F
1 on a scale of 1 to 10.
P (Poor)
Extremely worn, possibly incomplete, although such should be noted.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
PBO - Paperback Original. A first appearance in book form. Would be described as a "First Edition" by an antiquarian book dealer. Should not be confused with the term "First printing" or "First Paperback".
First printing - By default, it is customary in the hobby to assume a book is a first printing unless otherwise noted. It is incumbent upon the seller to accurately note the printing of any book he or she is selling.
First Edition versus First Printing - A paperback book can be a first printing and not be an original (PBO) - i.e. when the First Edition is hardcover or appeared in an earlier paperback version.
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