Glossary of Terms and Conditions

This term

means

As New (AN)

Without faults or defects, unread.

Book Club

Book is an edition issued by a book club.  Some book club editions are actually first editions or first hardcover editions and these are noted when appropriate.

Ex-Library

A book with Library markings such as stamps, card pockets, stickers, glued dust jackets.  These make good reading copies.

Fine (F):

Fine approaches the condition of Very Fine but may not be as crisp.  The book 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.  Many dealers use Fine as their highest grade thus allowing for a broad range in definition.  We consider a book in Fine condition to be a prime collectible book that only the most fastidious would be unhappy with.

First Edition

In this site, this means first edition and first printing, unless stated otherwise.  A First Edition is the first book appearance of that title. A book may be a first edition and have many printings.  The most collectible copy of a book is usually the first edition, first printing.

Some books state they are a First Edition when in fact they are not.  This may occur for example, when a title is first published in Great Britain and then published in the USA.  We try to be as accurate as possible when designating editions.  If you see something that is wrong, please let us know.

First Paperback Printing

First appearance of this title in a paperback form, preceded by a hardcover appearance.  Not a PBO.

First Printing

Good

The average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. All defects are noted.

Good Girl Art (GGA)

Cover art of a beautiful female usually scantily clad and in some precarious or compromising situation.

Minus (-)

A minus "-" in a grade means that it is below the grade noted but not quite to the next lower grade.

Movie Tie-in

A book released in conjunction with a movie.  Usually the cover has a photo from the movie or photos bound in the book.   Sometimes the cover is a painting of the star(s) of the movie.

Paperback Original (PBO)

The book is a First Edition (first book appearence) of the title.

Plus (+)

A plus "+" in a grade means that it is above the grade noted but not quite to the next higher grade.

Price Clipped

The practice of clipping off the price of a book from the dust jacket.  Price clipped jackets are always noted and taken into consideration when grading our books.

Reading Copy

A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing blank leaves will still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

Remainder Marks

A mark that is put on a book’s edge indicating it was for sale at a “reduced” price.  Any remainder marks are always noted and taken into consideration when grading our books.

Unread

Refers to a book which has been not been read, evidenced by a tight unbroken spine and/or a clean crisp look.  Not all unread books are As New as there can still be binding or jacket defects that bring the condition down a grade.

TV Tie-in

A book released in conjunction with a TV series.  Usually the cover has a photo from the show or photos bound in the book.   Sometimes the cover is a painting of the star(s) of the series.

Very Fine (VF)

Virtually the same condition in which it was published.  The book may have some minute rubbing or a slight corner bump.

Very Good

A used book showing some signs of wear on either binding or dust jacket. All defects are noted.  Sometimes a book is downgraded to Very Good because of one defect yet the book appears to be in a higher grade.  As we grade conservatively some of our Very Good books may be considered Fine by others.