The simplified bookseller terminology made popular on Amazon and Half.com will suffice in most cases, but dealers of antiquarian and rare books tend to use the condition terminology made popular by sellers in the 1940s:
As new: This term is to be used only when the book is in the same perfect condition as published. It is to have no defects, missing pages, or library stamps, and the dust jacket (if issued) must be in mint condition.
Fine: This approaches the “as new” category, but the book is not as crisp. “Fine” must also indicate no defects, and if the jacket has a small tear or other defect or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very good: This can describe a used book that shows minor wear but has no tears to the binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good: This describes the average used, worn book that has all pages present and no defect that obscures the text. Defects must be noted.
Fair: This is a worn book with complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but that perhaps lacks endpapers, half-title, etc. Binding and jacket may be worn. Defects must be noted.
Poor: This is a book that may have considerable wear but will suffice as a reading copy because it has the complete text unobscured. It may be soiled, scuffed, or stained, or have loose joints or pages. Any defects must be noted.
Ex-library: Former library books taken out of circu-lation must be designated as library copies, no matter what their condition.
Book club: These editions must always be noted as such, no matter what the book’s condition.
Binding copy: This describes a book in which the pages are fine but the binding is lose or detached.
If you’re selling on Amazon, don’t assume that your customer is going to know bookselling jargon — and never describe a book as being “in good condition for its age.” The book is in good condition or it’s not.
A traditional way of describing book condition
The simplified bookseller terminology made popular on Amazon and Half.com will suffice in most cases, but dealers of antiquarian and rare books tend to use the condition terminology made popular by sellers in the 1940s:
As new: This term is to be used only when the book is in the same perfect condition as published. It is to have no defects, missing pages, or library stamps, and the dust jacket (if issued) must be in mint condition.
Fine: This approaches the “as new” category, but the book is not as crisp. “Fine” must also indicate no defects, and if the jacket has a small tear or other defect or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very good: This can describe a used book that shows minor wear but has no tears to the binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good: This describes the average used, worn book that has all pages present and no defect that obscures the text. Defects must be noted.
Fair: This is a worn book with complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but that perhaps lacks endpapers, half-title, etc. Binding and jacket may be worn. Defects must be noted.
Poor: This is a book that may have considerable wear but will suffice as a reading copy because it has the complete text unobscured. It may be soiled, scuffed, or stained, or have loose joints or pages. Any defects must be noted.
Ex-library: Former library books taken out of circu-lation must be designated as library copies, no matter what their condition.
Book club: These editions must always be noted as such, no matter what the book’s condition.
Binding copy: This describes a book in which the pages are fine but the binding is lose or detached.
If you’re selling on Amazon, don’t assume that your customer is going to know bookselling jargon — and never describe a book as being “in good condition for its age.” The book is in good condition or it’s not.
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