A brief description of the grading system we apply to our books.
New :
A new, unread, unused, unopened book in perfect condition with no marks or damage. Purchased wholesale, safely stored & untouched.
Second Hand :
Like New :
A book that has been purchased and perhaps opened, but remains solid & looks new. The book cover or dust jacket has no visible wear or marks at all. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. No identifying marks on the inside covers. No wear and tear.
Very Good :
A book that has been opened and perhaps read and does not quite look new, but is in excellent condition. No damage at all to the book cover or dust jacket (if applicable). No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no marks, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. No identifying marks on the inside covers. Very little wear and tear (barely noticeable if any).
Good :
A book that has been read, but is still in good condition. It may have minimal damage to the book cover e.g., no major scuff marks, no creases, holes or tears. Binding has minimal wear, if any, only shelf wear. The pages are undamaged with very little creasing or tearing. Perhaps has some writing on the inside front, e.g. a name, or a message but this remains minimal. No highlighting of text, no writing in the margins, and no missing pages.
Acceptable :
A book with obvious wear. May have some creasing or damage to the book cover but the book is still usable. The binding may be slightly scuffed around the edges but it is still completely intact. May have some underlining and highlighting of text and some writing in the margins, but there are no missing pages or anything else that would compromise the readability or legibility of the text. For older books there may be a little tanning or foxing but this will also be minimal. Small closed tears are possible, but no longer than 2-3cm.
Some Other Book Grading Terminology :
Tanning - age tanning or browning/yellowing occurs over time on the pages of books, tanning tends to start on the outside of the pages and progresses inward over time, often creating a brownish or brownish border around the page edges.
Foxed / Foxing - age-related brown or brown-yellowish spotting of the paper caused by a chemical reaction over time.
Sunned - damage done to a book cover or dust jacket caused by exposure to direct sunlight.
Closed Tear - indicates a torn page in which no material has been lost. A closed tear can be pressed back into place or sometimes fixed with archival repair tape.
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Compact Disc Grading
A brief description of the grading system we apply to our second-hand music CDs.
Every second-hand CD listed in our store has been individually inspected and assessed across five areas: playback, disc surface, jewel case or sleeve, booklet and inserts, and pressing or reissue details. Where relevant, notes on any of these areas are included in the product listing.
Second Hand :
Very Good :
A CD that has been previously owned and played, but remains in excellent overall condition. All copies graded Very Good meet the following standards across each assessed area:
Playback :
Tested - the disc has been played through and confirmed to play without skipping, stalling, or audio dropout. Any disc that does not pass playback testing is not listed for sale.
Disc :
The playing surface is clean and free from deep scratches. Light surface marks or fine hairlines from normal handling may be present but do not affect playback. No cracks, chips, or damage to the disc edge or centre hub.
Jewel Case :
The jewel case is intact and fully functional - tray, hinges, and lid all present and undamaged. Minor scuffs or light surface marks on the exterior are possible and expected with age. Cracked trays or broken hinges will be noted explicitly in the listing. Where a disc is sold without its original jewel case - for example in a card sleeve or replacement case - this is stated clearly.
Booklet & Inserts :
The presence or absence of the original booklet and any inserts (e.g., lyric sheets, postcards, inlays) is stated in every listing. Where the booklet is present it is free from significant tears, heavy creasing, or writing. Light age-related marking may be present. Where a booklet or insert is missing this is always noted - a disc is never listed as Very Good with undisclosed missing inserts.
Pressing & Reissue Notes :
Where known, the pressing or reissue is identified in the listing - for example: original UK pressing, EU reissue, remastered edition, or digipak. Matrix and catalogue number information may be included for collector interest. Where the pressing cannot be confirmed this is noted rather than assumed.
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