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BILLSTUFF GRADING TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS |
RECORDS
ABBREVIATIONS: co factory cut out hole, drill hole, saw mark or cut corner cr creased corner(s) cw corner wear, bumped corner dj disc jockey, promo ew edge wear gfld gatefold h2o water damaged cover hv heavy lbl label lsm light slide marks on record md moderate re re-issue rw ring wear rm rub marks sh staple hole sl slight spsm split seam sobc sticker on back cover sofc sticker on front cover sol sticker on label ss still sealed sw shrinkwrap on cover swtr shrinkwrap tearing toc tape on cover tol tape on label wlp white label promo wobc writing on back cover wofc writing on front cover woic writing on inside gatefold cover or companion booklet wol writing on label
GRADING: (SS) Still Sealed Mint (M) New condition, most likely unplayed Near Mint (NM) Nearly perfect VG++ Half-step grade between NM and VG+ VG+ Collectible, but with some noticeable signs of use including slide marks or light scuffs, not generally affecting sound quality VG Clear signs of use, generally with acceptable light to moderate surface noise VG- Significant wear, and surface noise may be distracting
COMPACT DISCS
ABBREVIATIONS: co factory cut out hole, drill hole, saw mark or cut corner crk crack(s) in jewel case dj disc jockey, promo h2o water damaged insert hv heavy lg large md moderate sm small sw shrinkwrap swtr some tearing of shrinkwrap
DISC GRADING: New Still Sealed. Like New New condition, but without shrinkwrap. Disc shows no signs of wear or use. Near New Disc has been played, but has only the slightest sign of use. Very Good Showing a little bit more wear, but still guaranteed to play perfectly. As always, your satisfaction is guaranteed.
CONTAINERS / JEWEL CASES are graded either Sealed, New (usually a new replacement), Very Good, and Good.
BOOKS
4to - A book that is up to 12" tall.
8vo - A book that is up to 9 ¾" tall.
12mo - A book that is up to 7 ¾" tall.
16mo - A book that is up to 6 ¾" tall.
24mo - A book that is up to 5 ¾" tall.
32mo - A book that is up to 5" tall.
Folio - A book that is up to 15" tall.
boards Front and back cover bookplate An inside label or sticker denoting previous ownership chipping small missing pieces usually referring to the top or bottom of spine dj Dust jacket end papers The sheets of paper pasted onto the inner covers, joining the book block to the covers. One side of the sheet is pasted to the inside cover, the other is left free ex-libris or ex-library Former library copy, either personal or institutional foxing Brown spotting of the paper caused by a chemical reaction, generally found in 19th century books, particularly in steel engravings of the period gilt edges The page edges have been trimmed smooth and gilt, or gold, has been applied op Out of print reading copy A copy of a book that is worn or used to such a degree that it is not in good enough condition to be considered collectible remainder marking The publisher or seller will mark the bottom edges of books or the UPC code with a stamp or black marker to indicate it has been discounted in price shelf wear The wear that occurs as a book is placed onto and removed from a shelf slip case A cardboard case covered in paper, cloth or leather which holds a book with only the spine exposed sunned Faded from exposure to sun or light tissue A thin, protective sheet laid over an illustration tropical stain Traces of mold and mildew vol Volume
New - A new book is unread, in print and in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
As New - To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dustjacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears.
Fine (F or FN) - Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine, there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very Good (VG) - Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper.
Good (G) - Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present.
Fair - Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn.
Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a reading copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
POSTCARDS & OTHER PAPER ITEMS
Mint - Like new in every respect.
Excellent - Shows only the most minimal signs of wear or age.
Very Good - An extremely collectible item showing generally light wear or age, considerably better than the average similar item from this era.
Good - Shows moderate or normal wear from handling, but has not been abused.
Fair - Shows considerable wear but is a step above a filler piece in poor condition.
Poor - Not in collectible condition due to significant wear.
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