Book Condition Categories & Descriptions
1. New
- Description: A brand-new, unused, unread book in perfect condition. May still be in original shrink-wrap.
- Example: “Still sealed in original plastic wrap. No marks or wear.”
2. Like New
- Description: Looks brand new with no visible wear. Pages are crisp, and the cover is clean with no markings, bends, or creases.
- Example: “Unread copy. Covers are pristine, binding tight, and pages unmarked.”
3. Very Good
- Description: Gently used with minimal signs of wear. No tears or markings. May have very slight shelf wear or a small remainder mark.
- Example: “Mild shelf wear to cover corners, otherwise clean and unmarked.”
4. Good
- Description: Shows moderate wear. May have previous owner's name, minor annotations, or creases. Binding remains solid.
- Example: “Some underlining in pencil or highlighter, small crease on front cover. Pages are intact and binding is tight.”
5. Acceptable / Fair
- Description: Noticeable wear and defects. Pages and cover are intact but may include highlighting, annotations, or ex-library markings. Still readable.
- Example: “Ex-library copy with stamps. Cover is worn, and some pages are annotated, but all text is legible.”
6. Poor / Reading Copy
- Description: Significant damage or wear. May have loose pages, missing dust jacket, heavy markings, or staining. Sold primarily for reading, not collecting.
- Example: “Heavy wear and water staining on bottom edge. Some pages detached. Priced accordingly.”