Grading Terms

A description of the grading terms used (with examples):

For paperbacks we use the following:

• FINE PLUS (FN + ) : As issued. The book is absolutely brand-new and perfect in every way.

• FINE (FN) : Very slight wear is beginning to show. Possibly a very faint or slight crease along the edge of the spine to indicate the book was carefully read once. No major signs of wear. Plastic lamination (if any) will be intact.

• FINE MINUS (FN - ) : Also known as Near Fine. May have been read carefully several times, but the spine will still be very clean although with a slightly more visible reading crease. There may be some very minor fading of the cover or spine. Still no stress lines on the spine. No creases or bends in the covers themselves. Pages will still be largely white or very slightly tanning. Lamination (if any) may be slightly chipped at the corners or other spots. Minor color flaking or minor rubbing noticeable on extremities. Still a very nice copy.

• VERY GOOD PLUS (VG + ) : A read copy, but very tight. Cover luster and gloss is showing slight wear but not gone. Slight bends and creases in cover. Pages are fresh, but mildly tanned. Stress lines on spine are noticeable, but not severe. Minor wear spots, chipping and rubbing. No tears or splits in spine.

• VERY GOOD (VG) : A read copy, but still fairly tight. Cover lustre and gloss is showing some wear but not gone. Plastic laminate (if any) is noticeably peeling in spots. Some bends and creases in the cover. Pages fairly fresh but tanning. Spine is bent from several readings but not broken or torn. Wear spots, chipping and rubbing is noticeable but not major. No tears in the spine and no tape repairs. Very minor nicks at some edges.

• VERY GOOD MINUS (VG - ) : The average copy but still complete with no pages missing. Cover has slight bends, creases, and is starting to fade. Minor spine tear, not more than a quarter inch, but still intact on either end. Very slight roll to spine is possible. Minor nicks could be present on some pages. No pieces of cover missing.

• GOOD PLUS (G + ) : A read copy. Complete and readable. Small tears in cover or pages (at edges) is likely. Roll to spine is possible. Spine may be loose with tears (no more than quarter inch) on either end. Stamps or writing in book is possible. Cover has noticeable bends, creases, and could be slightly faded. Possible price sticker damage on cover.

• GOOD (G) : Your average read copy. Possibly slightly soiled, but still complete and readable. Torn cover or pages (no more than half an inch) is likely, as is a rolled spine. Spine heavily creased with possible small (no more than half inch) pieces missing from each end. Could have tears at top and bottom of spine. Stamps or writing in book is possible.

• GOOD Minus (G - ) : Your very well-read copy. Possibly slightly soiled, but still complete and readable. Torn cover or pages (no more than half an inch) is likely, as is a rolled spine. Spine heavily creased with possible small (no more than half inch) pieces missing from each end. Could have tears at top and bottom of spine. Stamps or writing in book is possible. Interior loose pages likely. Beginning spine crack.

• Fair (FR) : This is a reading copy only and is the minimal rating we will sell or buy. Book is readable.

For hard-covers, we use the IOBA standard.

For comic books, we use the Overstreet standard.