Book conditions
Every book in the shop is a used copy, often decades old. The description says what state it is in, with the codes antiquarian booksellers use worldwide, so you know beforehand what you get.
How to read a description
Each book has two condition lines: Condition is the book itself (pages, binding, spine), Cover condition is the outside: the boards or the dust jacket. "No DJ" means the dust jacket is missing. Noticeable defects (a name on the endpaper, a small tear, stamps of a previous owner, damp stains) are mentioned separately. In doubt? Ask for extra photos through the contact form.
The condition codes
- As new: the book is in the state in which it left the publisher. Rare for old books.
- Fine (FN): "as new" but allowing for the normal effects of time on an unused book that has been protected. A fine book shows no damage.
- Very good (VG): a book that is worn but untorn: light wear at the corners or the spine, otherwise sound. For many collectors this is the minimum acceptable condition for all but the rarest items. Any defects are noted.
- Good (G): the condition of an average used, worn book that is complete: clear signs of use, but all pages are there and the book is firm in its binding. Any defects are noted.
- Fair: shows wear and tear but all the text pages and illustrations or maps are present. It may lack endpapers, half-title, and even the title page. All defects are noted.
- Poor: the text is complete but the book is so damaged that it is only of interest as a reading copy. If the damage renders the text illegible then the book is not even poor. We rarely sell such books.
Binding
- SC: soft cover (paperback). "SC stapled" is a thin booklet held by staples; "selfcover" means the cover is the same paper as the pages.
- HC: hard cover, with or without a dust jacket ("with dust jacket" or "no DJ").
The other lines
- Edition: "1st" is the first edition, often the most sought after; "1st thus" is the first edition in this form (for example the first paperback edition); "2nd edition" and so on are later printings.
- Year, Place, Publisher, Printer: where and when the book was made.
- Pages: the number of pages; "plus a folding map" and the like are mentioned.
- Illustrated, Illustrator: what kind of illustrations (black and white, colour plates) and by whom.
- Language: the language of the text.
- Series: the series the book belongs to, with its number.
- Signed: signed by the author or illustrator, usually on the title page or the endpaper. A dedication is a signed note addressed to someone.
A question about a particular copy? Use the contact form; we will gladly check it for you.