Our Grading Guide (with
very special thanks to
•MINT (Rating Scale of 9.9 to 10.0 out of 10.0): What would
be considered the greatest grade example of a book, and as if it has never been
handled. Cover is flat with no surface wear, no creases, no date stamps or
printing defects. This is a very rare find, which is why when identified they go
for a premium price.
•NEAR MINT/MINT (Rating Scale of 9.8 out of 10.0): Nearly perfect, with very
minor defects identifiable upon close inspection. Corners are sharp, no creases,
no tears, no soiling, no spine roll or splits. Extremely small penciled,
stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an
inconspicuous area. Also, no staple rusting or lose pages.
•NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.2 to 9.6 out of 10.0): A book that looks like it
was freshly purchased and read a few times. Small bindery defects are allowed,
along with small corner blunting, 1/16” to 1/8” creases, and very slight
discoloration. No staple rusting is allowed, and a number of spine stress lines
are detectable or otherwise this would be a 9.8 copy. Extremely small penciled,
stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an
inconspicuous area. Pages can be cream to off-white, but generally fresh
looking.
•VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.0 out of 10.0): A nice looking book,
but with acceptable bindery defects and staples that start to show signs of
minor wear. It is not uncommon to see a 1/8” corner bend, and very minor
foxing. Spine stress lines will be apparent, but should not be excessive or
otherwise this would be in the Very Fine or less category. Pages can be cream to
off-white, but generally fresh looking. Extremely small penciled, stamped, or
inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an inconspicuous area.
•VERY FINE (Rating Scale of 7.5 to 8.5 out of 10.0): A comic book falling into
this category shows signs of being carefully handled but excessively read. Up to
a ¼” corner bend is allowed, but not an extremely large bend that detracts
from the eye appeal of the book too much. Slight staple tears are detectable,
and staple discoloration may start to appear. Stress lines along the spine are
very apparent, but not excessive to the point the book is more Fine/Very Fine.
Pages can be tan to cream. Penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are
detectable.
•FINE/VERY FINE (Rating Scale of 7.0 out of 10.0): What many would consider an
above-average book, still slightly flat and clean. Minor cover wear is
detectable, and can include bends, blunting, reduced color, minor spine roll,
and staples clearly starting to show discoloration that may even start to
transfer to the surrounding paper. Pages can be tan to cream, but not
excessively dark. Interior tears can be apparent, but not excessive.
•FINE (Rating Scale of 5.5 to 6.5 out of 10.0): This is still a collectible
book, but shows signs of being read many times. It is very common to perceive
blunted corners, discoloration of the cover, spine stress lines, some minor
staining, minor spine roll, and a ¼” spine split or severe color break.
Staple rusting that may show slight transfer to the surrounding paper may be
evident, but not too excessive. Pages can be brown to tan, but not brittle,
along with slight page looseness.
•VERY GOOD/FINE (Rating Scale of 5.0 out of 10.0): This is where a comic
starts to fall into the “well-read” category. The number of defects will
detract from the eye appeal of the book, but can still be considered an
above-average book. It is not uncommon to see excessive spine stress lines,
corner bends, tears up to ½” present, and moderate spine roll. Pages can be
brown to tan, but not brittle, along with slight page looseness, but not
detached.
•VERY GOOD (Rating Scale of 3.5 to 4.5 out of 10.0): What the market considers
an average used comic, with significant defects such as creases, blunted
corners, fading, foxing, soiling, and at this point you start to see pieces of
the cover that may be missing up to ¼” is acceptable. You may also run across
minor amateur repair work such as tape.
•GOOD/VERY GOOD (Rating Scale of 3.0 out of 10.0): What Overstreet calls “a
used comic showing substantial wear.” Cover will have excessive wear, and may
even be loose at this grade. It can have a book-length crease, corners may be
blunted or rounded, soiling, and pieces missing up to ½” are acceptable.
Amateur repairs with tape may be detected. Staples may be rusted, and up to
moderate staple tears may be present. Pages can be brown but not brittle, and
pages may be detached at one staple.
•GOOD (Rating Scale of 1.8 to 2.5 out of 10.0): This is a comic that shows
substantial wear. It may have rounded corners, book creases, discoloration,
foxing, missing pieces up to a ½” acceptable, and even up to 2” tears.
Spine roll can be expected, along with tape repair, rusted staples, and loose
pages. Pages will be brown but not brittle, and interior tears will most
probably be present.
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