PAPERBACK CONDITION GUIDE

F (Fine) Virtually flawless. For a book to recieve this grade, it may have only the slightest traces of wear noticeable upon very close inspection. Inside the pages must be creamy, no trace of brown, and also there can be no nameplates or other noticeable writing inside the book. Outside, the spine must be solid and clean with no fading or creasing. Very tiny ammounts of wear way be present. No crease of any kind is permitted. The book appears to be perfect, but upon close inspection tiny problems can be found. AF (About Fine) A beautiful copy. Acceptable to all but the most discriminating collector. This is a sharp almost Fine copy. It can have no major defects but may have an accumulation of several minor ones, such as a tiny color chip on the spine or extremities. Other possible flaws might include a small pencil arrival mark on the cover of an otherwise Fine book. No creases. Pages can be slightly yellowed but not brown. VGF (Very Good to Fine) Closer to VG than to AF, but still a very well-preserved copy without major defects. Pages will not be brown. and no nameplates or writing can be on the endpages. Light spine wear/flaking, or minor cover wear are some of the typical problems with books in this grade. A light reading crease along the spine or very minor corner crease might be present. VG (Very Good) The typical used paperback in average condition. A solid copy, although with wear & defects to be expected. Unusual problems should be noted. The book can have slight browning of pages but not brittleness or flaking; it may also have a small nane written on an endpage, or a small nameplate inside the book. Minor pealing of the lamination covering the book can be expected. but extreme peeling will eliminate the book from this grade. A corner crease (1/4" or less) or Two can be present, but numerous creases are not allowed in this grade. A minor spinr roll is allowable; a heavy spine roll is not allowable unless noted and the book is a higher grade otherwise. General spine wear can be expected; however, unusually heavy spine wear is not allowable in this grade. The spine should be complete and solid; if not, major problems should be described, such as a split spine. In any case, a split spine should be described as to length and should eliminate the book ftom this grade if it is over 3/4" in length. Tape anywhere on the book is not allowed in this grade. A small pen mark on the cover can be present if noted, but not if large, heavy, or if affecting the eye appeal of the book. Haevy dampstians prevent the book from being VG; however, a minor dampstain on an unobtrusive part of the cover could be allowed. One small arrival date is allowable, without being noted, but any other writing on the cover should be noted. Sun-fading on the cover should be described and, if significant, should prevent the example from the VG grade. Insect or rodent damage is not allowable in this grade. Price stickers or peelmarks from removal of a price sticker is allowable in the VG grade only when the area affected is small and not a serious detraction from the cover art. No color touchup with colored markers is allowable in this grade. GVG (Good Very Good) A borderline book that is closer in condition to VG than it is to G. The accrual of several of the above mentioned defects should move an otherwise VG book to this grade. Books in this grade are similar in appearance to a VG book, but with heavier or more severe creases, flaking,etc... G (Good) A worn, creased, flaked example. Crumpled and worn corners. Tape, Water stains, writing, brittleness of pages, pieces or chips missing, heavily rolled spine, etc., are to be expected in this grade. Typically a reading copy only, with all pages complete. RE: THE OFFICIAL PRICE GUIDE: PAPERBACKS, By Jon Warren, 1991