How to Judge a Books Condition

Before grading a book check the book inside and out for flaws, and make sure all the pages are present and intact. It's important to look through the entire book for missing pages, creased pages, etc. Flaws like these are easy to miss on first inspection. You never know what you can find in those pages, I've found oil stains, food stains, writing, etc, even money so be sure to check.

How to grade a book according to the Advanced Book Exchange

Book Terminology

Before you start to sell books it is important to know how to describe their parts and flaws. I can attempt to describe the parts of a book here but I will not as this information is covered in the following web pages in great detail. Explore each of the following web sites to learn about the basic terminology associated with a book.

This describes the types of binding a book may use

This describes the many different sizes of books

This describes the various parts of a book

If you feel you may need to know everything about book terminology may I suggest ABC for Book Collectors. This is a wonderful book that teaches you absolutely all the terminology you could ever want to know.

About Ex-Library and Books Rated Below Good Condition

Anything below the condition of "Good" is most likely unwanted by a collector but may be desirable as a "Reading Copy" if all content is readable and complete.

Ex Library books that have the usual library markings (pocket, stamps, etc) should also be considered non collectible, and should be noted as "Ex Library" in a sale description.

So if a book is Ex Library with the markings, or in condition less than "Good". You won't need to list a grade for the book but instead list either "Ex Library", or "Reading Copy".

In any other case you will want to provide a grade for the book and dust jacket, usually in the format Book/Dust jacket. For example: If I graded a book to be in F(fine) condition and the Dust Jacket to be in VG(very good) condition I would state this as.. F / VG.

Common Book Flaws

This is a pictorial listing of common book flaws that you may come across. When selling a book it is a good idea to describe any flaws that you come across. Clicking an image will open an enlarged version in a new window.

Chipped - Small bits missing from the edges of a dust jacket or bookbinding.

Bumped - Describes the corners of a book that have been rounded (not square as a new book would be) from being bumped in some way.

Ex Library - A book that once belonged to a library but was discarded.

Foxing - Random Rust colored spots on the paper.

Price Clipped - The price on the inside flap of the dust jacket has been removed by cutting.

Remainder Mark -  A mark most commonly found on the bottom of the book signaling that the book was returned to the publisher as unsold. The publisher affixes such a mark, which is usually a slash from a marker, or spray paint and then ships the books back out for cheap resale.

Rubbed - Discoloration or fading of color in areas exposed to friction. Usually found on the edges and dust jacket surfaces.

Yellowing - A condition in which the paper itself turns a yellow color all over caused by low quality paper.

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