Grading the condition of a book is an art.  It's an art for several reasons, such as:

1. There are different classes of books. Paperbacks, new, used and collectible hardbacks, books with dust jackets and those without.
2. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  We don't all see things, especially books, with the same eye.  If it's your book it's obviously in like new condition.  If it's a book you just received from an on-line bookseller it's probably beat up (see my guide on packaging).
3. Terminology.  The terminology used by many booksellers may be confusing.
4. Is it really important.  Yes and no. As the old saying goes...it depends.

Let's see if we can simplify the art of establishing the condition of a book.  For the purpose of this guide we will consider two categories: 1) Paperback or softcover and 2) Hardback or hardcover.

Paperback

This is the easier of the two and perhaps the terminology will be familiar to most buyers as well as sellers.  Unless the paperback is rare and collectible the following will suffice:

• New. Should be self-explanatory. This is a book without any noticeable flaws and has never been read.
• Like New.  Book should be without noticeable flaws other than minor indications of having been read one time.
• Very Good.  A copy that has been read but is still in excellent condition. There should be no missing pages, no marks, highlighting, or notes.  The cover should be free of tears, crimping, scratches and fading.
• Good.   All pages are intact and it is a clean copy but may show some signs of wear especially on the spine.  The book may have limited notes or highlighting.
• Acceptable.  All pages are intact but the book may include considerable notes or highlighting, the text must not be obscured.

Hardback

Now for the interesting art of grading the condition of hardcover and collectible books.  Many on-line booksellers, especially on Amazon.com Marketplace use the same or similar grading system as Paperbacks.  This grading system is probably adequate for books priced under $20.00.  Here is the terminology:

• As New.  Book and dust jacket should be in the same pristine condition as published.
• Fine.  Book and dust jacket should be crisp without noticable flaws or defects.
• Very Good.  Can be used to describe a used book that shows minor wear but has no tears to the binding, book pages or dust jacket.
• Good.  This describes the average used book.  All pages must be present and any flaws to the book or dust jacket should be described.
• Fair.  This is a used book that has all the text pages intact but may be missing a title page, end-papers, etc. Binding and dust jacket may be worn and all defects should be noted.
• Poor.  Used to describe books with considerable wear. May be suitable as a reading copy if the text is complete and unobscured. May be soiled, scuffed, have separation from the spine, etc.  All defects should be noted.
• Ex-Library.  Former library copy; the should always be noted regardless of the books condition.
• Book Club.  This edition must always be noted regardless of the books condition.  Generally a Book Club Edition (BCE) will be smaller in size and will not have a price on the inside corner of the dustjacket.
• Binding Copy.  Pages may be fine but the binding is loose or detached.

Hardcovers and Collectibles

Here is where the real art lies and what separates the hobbiest bookseller from the knowledgeable bookseller.  If you are going to err when describing these books do so on the conservative side.  In other words, when in doubt down-grade to the next classification.  I did not invent this system.  It is supplied by the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) and is available free from their website.  I use this grading system to describe all my hardcover books available in my eBay store located here Buck Creek Books. This terminology can be found by clicking this link.

• Very Fine (VF).  Without faults or defects, in the same condition as when it was published. (Note: very few new books qualify for this grade, as there will often be rubs/scuffs to the dustjacket from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving.)
• Fine (F).  Approaches the above, but not crisp. May show signs of having been carefully read, but no real defects or flaws.
• Near Fine (NF).  Approaching Fine but with a couple of defects which should be noted.
• Very Good.  Used book showing some small signs of wear on either the binding or dustjacket. Defects and faults should be noted.
• Good.  Average used book that has all pages present. All defects must be noted.
• Fair.  Used book that has complete text but may be missing end papers, half-title page, etc.  Dustjacket may have noticeable signs of wear such as crimping, small tears, or curling on the edges. All defects should be noted.
• Poor/Reading Copy.  Sufficiently worn that its only merit is that it has the complete text. May be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.  All defects should be noted.
• Ex-Library.  Must always be noted regardless of books condition.
• Book Club (BCE).  Must always be noted regardless of the books condition.
• Binding Copy.  A book in which the text block is complete but the binding is lacking or in such poor condition that it is beyond reasonable repair.
• Remainder Marks, Bookplates, Previous Owner's Name.  Should always be noted.
• Odors/Soiling.  Either rectify them before listing or note the condition in the listing.

Hardcover books with a dustjacket should have the condition of the book and the dustjacket listed separately.  The is normally shown as __/__, i.e., F/F, denoting the book first and the dustjacket second.  It is quite possible for the book and the dustjacket to be in different conditions, i.e., F/VG, where the book is in Fine condition and the dustjacket is in Very Good condition.

In an ideal world all on-line booksellers would use the same terminology in describing the condition of their books.  When in doubt one should always ask the seller to describe the condition of the book.

I hope both buyers and sellers find this guide helpful.  I also hope you enjoyed the read and that you feel your time was well spent.  If so please leave a grade of helpful.

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