Book Grading

FINE - Super copy with no real flaws - generally equivalent to a new book with normal expected ageing to the paper.
 
ABOUT FINE {NEAR FINE} - Very minor flaws only, perhaps slight shelf wear to cover or book edges.
 
VG-FINE - Carefully read with light handling wear with perhaps a light reading crease to cover or spine.
 
VG+ - Nice collectible book with perhaps a couple of small defects which may include short/light creases,
a little rubbing or a neat inscription.
 
VG - Average wear for age - However still in collectible grade. A wider choice of defects are allowed which
could include a couple from the following list {though no more than 2 or 3} :- Light creasing, some moderate
fading to spine, Some light handling wear/rubbing to corners/extremities, A little laminate lift
{small amount of laminate loss}, moderate degree of spine roll, small corner chips to head & foot of  spine,
a degree of page toning & perhaps a bookstore stamp or inscription.
 
VG-  - As above but with somewhat heavier wear to covers
 
GOOD-VG  - Copy showing notable cover wear with perhaps larger chips to spine edge & book corners.
 
GOOD  - Complete copy which will have notable creasing/wear with perhaps some splitting/short tears.
Pages may be more heavily toned with some spotting - A reading copy
 
Fair - Complete reading copy which will have some notable flaws though covers & spine will be largely intact -
at this grade there may be partial loss of the spine, tears to the covers, partial cover loss {always noted} more
pronounced browning of the pages which may be foxed {always noted} - still a readable copy or filler.
 

 NOTE FOR PULPS before 1950:  Pristine white page copies are extremely scarce so Pulps in true 'Fine' condition
are rare. A degree of chipping/splitting and small loss is allowed within the VG grade which wouldn't be with
hardbacks or paperbacks.Page toning is also expected though significant browning or flaking will always be noted

Comic Grades as per industry standards:
 
Grade : Equivalent out of 10
GEM MINT  : 10.0
MINT  : 9.9
NEAR MINT / MINT  : 9.8
NEAR MINT+   : 9.6
NEAR MINT   : 9.4
NEAR MINT -   : 9.2
VERY FINE/NEAR MINT  : 9.0
VERY FINE+   : 8.5
VERY FINE   : 8.0
VERY FINE -   : 7.5 
FINE/VERY FINE  : 7.0
FINE +   : 6.5
FINE  : 6.0
FINE -   : 5.5
VERY GOOD/FINE  : 5.0
VERY GOOD+   : 4.5
VERY GOOD   : 4.0
VERY GOOD -   :3.5
GOOD/VERY GOOD  : 3.0
GOOD +   : 2.5
GOOD  : 2.0
GOOD -   : 1.8
FAIR/GOOD   : 1.5
FAIR   : 1.0
POOR   : 0.5