After selling books for decades I have decided to share some ideas and thoughts on buying and collecting books. First things first though. One of the most important considerations when adding books to your collection or starting a collection is what to buy and how to interpret book details ( or book grading) when buying online. 

The easier topic is interpreting book details and the grading of the book when buying online. Most importantly, any listing should be described by the seller in proper terms and great detail. When describing the overall condition of any book the proper way to do so is by using the following guidelines for book grading.  Book buyers should be knowledgeable in such terms. Following is the basic guidelines for condition overview which is known as "book grading". 

Fine:  This is the highest grade for collecting books and translates as a book that is nearly new, may have been read but not showing signs of wear. 

Near Fine: This translates as almost like new, potential very minor flaws such as a bump to a corner or dust jackets showing only hints of shelf wear or light fading. 

Very Good: Translates as very clean, may have visible flaw but minor such as a wrinkled page, bumped corner, but clean and solid overall. 

Good: A copy that is showing wear, may be worn dust jacket or fading to hardcover but still a solid reading copy. 

Fair or Poor: A readable copy but showing much wear that can include spotting, weak binding but attached pages, or a dust jacket that is present and showing wear and tears which should be detailed as "acceptable as present". 

In addition to subscribing one of the above book grading terms, the listing should include why the book is listed as such and give details as to why that condition note was chosen. 

"Fine copy, crisp and clean pages, no visible wearing to jacket, binding tight and straight"

"Near fine, crisp and clean pages, binding tight and straight, only hint of shelf wear to corners/dust jacket, jacket price clipped - otherwise near fine" 

"Very good, crisp and clean inside, may have previous owners name/bookplate inside, binding tight, minor shelf wear to hardcover under jacket and jacket showing light shelf wear and minor tear edges" 

 

You get the idea. The listing should convey the overall condition notes along with a proper book terminology grading scale. Be wary of notes that simply indicate an older book that may have the "normal" wear and tear of vintage items. That is NOT an appropriate description. Details of condition can be given to books of any age. 

Thank you for reading and next time we will talk about what to collect. 

Cheers for now !  Bobbi