ABOUT ITEM DESCRIPTION TERMS
Q: What do the terms mean in the description?
Here is a guide to some of the terms you will see in our listings. Any other questions please email us for prompt answers to your inquiries.
Always, if issued with one, the lack of a dust jacket or slipcase is noted.
(NOTE: There may be "+" and "-" in a grade, which will mean that it is above the grade noted but not quite to the next higher grade for "+", and that it is below the grade noted but not quite to the next lower grade for "-".
Advanced Reading Copy - ARC is a copy of the book sent out to reviewers prior to the publication of the book and are usually in the form of bound proofs.
AS NEW or New - Without faults or defects, unread, in the same immaculate condition in which it was published (Note: very few "new" books qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the dust jackets from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving). This Term "As New" is mostly used by newbies or those unfamiliar with professional terms, Most Professionals use the Term FINE For the Highest and best quality book
Association Copy - A copy of a work that was owned by a notable person or was in some way associated with an important individual indicated by an author's inscription.
BC or BCE - Book club edition. Must always be noted as such no matter what the condition of the book.
BINDING COPY - A book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or non-existent.
Bumped or Bumping - a dent usually to the boards.
Chipped - small tears or missing portions of dust jacket.
Cocked - Indicates that the spine is somewhat twisted.
DJ - Dust jacket.
Ex-lib or EX-LIBRARY - Very rarely carried by our site, indicates a book once owned by a library with related markings.
Fair - A reading copy only, can have numerous flaws except to text unless noted. This is our lowest grading of books as we do not offer titles in Poor condition.
Fine - This is the highest quality you can give to a used or rare book. When a book is in near new condition with no flaws unless noted. May have been carefully read and dust jacket may have been slightly rubbed or spine ends slightly bumped from shelving/shipping, but no real defects or faults.
Foxed or Foxing - Discoloring brown-yellowish spots to paper mostly due to acidic content.
G or Good - Good condition notates that a book is neither Fine nor Very Good but is a reading copy with some flaws and a feeling of general use. The average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
NF - Near fine condition.
NEAR FINE - Also used, although not contained in Bookman's Weekly definitions, meaning a book or dust jacket approaching FINE but with a couple of very minor defects or faults.
Price Clipped - When price has been cut off of dust jacket creating a flaw in overall condition.
READING COPY - A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
VG or VERY GOOD - A used book showing some small signs of wear on either binding or dust jacket. Any defects/faults must be noted.
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