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.
Related posts:
![[Google]]( http://www.weberbooks.com/selling/wp-content/plugins/easy-adsenser/google-light.gif)
3 Comments
That’s just a bunch a blarney, ” . . . never describe a book as being “in good condition for its age.” The book is in good condition or it’s not.” We used book sellers of the old, and the unusual, should not have to compete with the same lingo as those selling books that are hot off the press. My gosh, are old books are not bought by esteem collectors, but book lovers of all kinds who appreciate the novel, the lithographs, a real frontispiece or two. To force a bookseller to describe a perfectly lovely old book with a tattered dust as acceptable, when it dates from 1910, is putting dealers who still love these old books out of business. No wonder all we see at book sales are armies of sellers equipped with scanners, tossing a lovely age worn “Cape Cod” aside. Truly, is there no definition for the patina that comes with age? I give up. Amazon is dictating us all, and heading us like cattle to the newer and newer books, which is where one easily can find a Grisham, or Grafton, or Mitchell, or Agatha Christie, in “like new,” and “fine” condition, and where we can even afford to humble ourselves and call it “very good” because as long as we reach that threshold, our book will sell.
That’s just a bunch a blarney, ” . . . never describe a book as being “in good condition for its age.” The book is in good condition or it’s not.” We used book sellers of the old, and the unusual, should not have to compete with the same lingo as those selling books that are hot off the press. My gosh, are old books are not bought by esteem collectors, but book lovers of all kinds who appreciate the novel, the lithographs, a real frontispiece or two. To force a bookseller to describe a perfectly lovely old book with a tattered dust as acceptable, when it dates from 1910, is putting dealers who still love these old books out of business. No wonder all we see at book sales are armies of sellers equipped with scanners, tossing a lovely age worn “Cape Cod” aside. Truly, is there no definition for the patina that comes with age? I give up. Amazon is dictating us all, and heading us like cattle to the newer and newer books, which is where one easily can find a Grisham, or Grafton, or Mitchell, or Agatha Christie, in “like new,” and “fine” condition, and where we can even afford to humble ourselves and call it “very good” because as long as we reach that threshold, our book will sell.
I sell on ABE, & through them, on Amazon through the Channel program. My main gripe about this latter (I don’t know how it is if you sell on Amazon directly) is that it allows no “fine” designation, but automatically bumps a book to “as new.” I tried explaining the distinction to them, but they don’t care enough to discriminate between the terms. I don’t want to describe something as “as new” when it’s not, but it’s better than “very good.” In response to the comment by kate rose, my first signal that a bookperson doesn’t know what they’re doing is the “very good for it’s age” description. Steve is right: condition is what it is, and we have to have a standardized language to communicate with: this is not an Amazon invention, but a bookseller standard. Many books from a century ago are only going to be “fair” or “good.” If the rest of your description is accurate anough (e.g., foxing, bumped corners, hinge condition) described, this should give the buyer an accurate picture (of course, a real picture always helps, too!) & convey the real value of your book.