- 1). Familiarize yourself with standard book condition vocabulary and terminology. The book condition terms most commonly used are New (Mint), As New, Fine, Very Good (or Very Fine), Good, Fair (or Reading Copy), Poor and Ex-Library. Each type has distinct characteristics.
- 2). Look at the used book for flaws first. Assess all the flaws before rating the book's condition. Look for markings, discoloration, chips, tears, wear and tear on the spine. Check the condition of the book jacket, if there is one.
- 3). No matter what condition the used book is in, note whether it says "Withdrawn" on any part of the book -- spine, pages, pastedowns, page edges. Also note if there are any library stamps or checkout pockets. Any indication that the book once belonged to a library automatically makes the book's condition "Ex-Library." If the book is a book club edition, note that, also.
- 4). Assign a New or Mint condition only to a book that has no flaws. The book must have its dust jacket, no scrapes, tears, not one single mark -- except for an author's signature or inscription. It must have the same glossy, fresh appearance and unopened feel a new book in a bookstore would have.
- 5). Assign an As New book condition to used books that are just like New or Mint books, except for having been read -- but they must show no sign of it. The spine must still feel crisp and have no creases.
- 6). Assign a book Fine condition if it's very like As New, but has lost its polished appearance. If it's otherwise perfect but seems a bit duller in the cloth covers, the condition is Fine.
- 7). Assign a Very Fine or Very Good condition to used books that look used, but are still fairly sharp and crisp. No rips on the covers allowed. A slight amount of spine creasing is fine. Remainder marks should be noted, but will not detract from a rating of Very Fine or Very Good. A single bit of writing or stamp might be allowable if other flaws are not present.
- 8). Rate the secondhand book as in Good condition if it shows moderate wear. No pages can be loose or missing, and the binding has to be intact, but the spine can be well-creased, the covers and pages bent and maybe torn a little, writing and stamps may be found inside the book, and a little writing can be found in the pages or on the covers.
- 9). Assign a Fair or Reading Copy rating if the used book has multiple flaws and you'd only give a copy to your best friend -- but you would still give the book to your best friend, because whatever condition the covers and pages are in, the binding is mostly intact and none of the text pages (as opposed to front matter or end matter) are missing. The book isn't pretty, but every word can be read in its entirety.
- 10
Assign a Poor rating (and, some say, Reading Copy rating) to any book that has numerous pages loose, is very soiled, or has the spine half torn apart. Text must still all be present and accounted for. If any text is missing, state this explicitly in your book description if you decide to sell it.
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