Lazy Lion
Used Books & More
146 South Main Street
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
(919) 552-9639
info@lazylionbooks.com
Monday 12 to 5
Tues -
Wed 10 to 5
Thu - Fri 10 to 8
Saturday 10 to 5
Closed Sunday
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Grading System Used in Collecting Books
These standards are from the
International Book Collectors Association (IBCA), and the Independent Online Booksellers
Association (IOBA). They assume that you are describing both the book and the jacket in a
single grade.
Currently most dealers will describe the book and dust jacket separately like this: F/VG -
a book in fine condition with a dust jacket in very good condition.
| Grade |
Explanation/Description |
| AN/VF/Mint - As New/Very Fine/Mint |
The
book is in the same immaculate condition in which it was published. There can be no
defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dust jacket (if it was issued
with one) must be perfect, without any tears. (Note: very few "new" books
qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the
dust jackets from
shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving). |
| F
- Fine |
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. (The dust jacket may have been slightly rubbed or spine ends
slightly bumped from shelving/shipping) |
| NF
- Near Fine |
Approaching
FINE but with a couple of very minor defects or faults |
| VG
- Very Good |
Can
describe a used book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either
binding or paper. Any defects must be noted. |
| G
- Good |
Describes
the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be
noted. |
| Fair |
A 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. |
| Poor/Reading
Copy |
Describes
a book that is sufficiently worn 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. |
| XLib
- Ex-library |
Copies
must always be designated as such no matter what the condition of the book. |
| BOMC/BCE
- Book Club |
Editions
must always be noted as such no matter what the condition of the book. |
| Binding
Copy |
Describes
a book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off,
or nonexistent. |
| Dust
Jacket |
In all cases, the lack of a
dust jacket should be noted if the book was issued with one. |
These terms
may be arbitrary, but whatever terms are employed, they may be useless or misleading
unless both buyer and seller agree on what they mean in actually describing the book. When
in doubt, describe the book exactly as it is, as to physical condition, textual reading,
and edition.
Note: The IBCA discourages the practice of elevating a book's condition from its actual
physical appearance based on age. Even if a given old book is in great shape for its age,
its physical condition is still just that, and description of condition should follow
the standards given above. |
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