Book Grading and Condition

Book condition is extremely important to the value of a book. Book grading is something a book collector must be very aware of.

I start examining a book's condition even before I open it to see if it is a first edition. Look at the dust jacket carefully.

Since dust jackets became standard for books in the early twentieth century, 75% of the value of a book is in the dust jacket.

I try to buy books that look new or nearly new. Books such as these are called Very Fine or Fine.

These are the highest grades. I'll only buy grades lower than these if they are a bargain ... or if the Fine is very expensive.

A Very Fine book (VF) is flawless.

It's analogous to the top grade of PG-70 for collectible coins. Not many have this grade!

The VF book grading refers to both the book and its dust jacket. The book will have no bumped corners, no warping or wear on the boards. The text block will be tight as if it has not been read. (Reading will almost certainly downgrade a VF book).

A Fine (F) book is in excellent condition

... but it is permitted to have one or two minor flaws. For example, it may have slight rubbing to the dust jacket, some slight wear to the bottom boards. Or a crease in the dust jacket.

These flaws should not be significant and detract from the appearance of the book. These minor flaws should be noted in the description.

The book may have been read carefully once or twice and so the text block may not be very tight. But the book should have no marks, stains or tears.

If a bookseller lists several flaws, the book should not be rated Fine.

Very Good (VG) books have noticeable flaws but are still presentable

Very Good (VG) is the designation for many books ... particularly older books.

Common problems may be:

- an owner's signature on a page

- significant rubbing and creases

- the book's price may have been cut out of the dust jacket

- bumped corners or a slanted spine

- a tear in the dust jacket

Stain:

One common flaw on a VG book is a red or black "remainder mark" on the top or bottom of the text block ... it normally appears as a black line or dot.

The bookseller should list flaws other than minor rubbing and bumping in the description.

I should point out here that both the book and the dustjacket are graded separately at the Fine and lower book grades. Thus a book could be rated Fine and the dust jacket Very Good. The book's description would then show the grading as F/VG to denote the condition.

Good (G) is the lowest collectible grade.

It is mostly seen in older books that have seen considerable neglect.

Books grading Good will be:

- tears and chips in the dust jacket - stains, marks, discolorations and creases

- the spine may be slanted

- the pages will likely be yellowed, spotted or browned

Uncollectible Books

Uncollectible describes a book that:

- is missing one or more pages or parts of pages

- has considerable water damage

- is an ex-library book

Ex-library books are a good example. They will have had pockets pasted in for library cards, stamping, writing, etc.

They will have been dropped and reshelved many times. You will see them offered on the internet and in book sales.

Buy them only for reading!

Book grading can be learned by making a habit of examining several books next time you're at a store.

Have book dealers shows you differences in grades when you visit them.

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