The condition of a book has to be the most important facit to book collecting. The grade of a book can change the value dramatically ,  there is a lot of room between very fine and poor.  Peoples opinion on the grade of a book can vary greatly but there are basic guidelines that do not.  This information is indispensable to the book buyer.  If you find this guide helpful please let us know at the bottom.

    So here are the basics  from best to worst.

 VERY FINE;  Perfect. Never read, no marks or shelf wear. It even creaks when you open it!  Same for dust jacket.

  FINE;  All most Perfect.  Unread, no marks maybe a VERY minor bump and/or the faintest beginings of shelf wear.

 NEAR FINE;  Only slightly flawed , has carefully been read but is VERY square , maybe a small bump or two, minor shelf wear.  Dj. maybe a little dulled but no chips or tears. Any time someone would say Else FINE

 VERY GOOD;  Very minor flaws Has been read but is still square, minor rubbing and bumps.  Dj may have some rubbing , a couple very minor chips or tears, bumps, and shelf wear.  Also, price clipping alone will lower a dust jacket to very good.

 VERY GOOD minus;  Has  easily spotted flaws, has been read  a owners name, obviously read or remaindered. Dj may have price clipping, some rubbing, chips and tears.  Any time one would say Else VERY GOOD

 GOOD;  Good is not good. A reading copy unless it is a truly rare book.  Stains, torn hinges , loose binding , written in excessively, no longer square or very slanted. For a jacket  there will be large chips, tears, tape and or tape marks and price clipping of course.

 POOR;  A disposable reading copy.  Only the rarest, one of a kind book can be worth anything in this shape.  Poor is anything worse then the descriptions of good, like water damage or the binding has come apart.

 LIBRARY;  For the most part these are worthless because of all the flaws. But most libraries cover the jackets keeping them in great condition, good for better copies.