For book collectors and buyers, condition is one of the most important factors to consider when adding a book to your collection. Finding the best condition copy you can afford is a good adage to follow.

Defining the categories of condition has long been a subjective business and there is no universal guideline for booksellers, old and new, that is accepted. The difference between Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, etc. is different for nearly every bookseller. A great way that booksellers describe books, and a way that FlatSigned follows, is to list all the obvious defects and signs of wear in a detailed fashion, which we do in our descriptions on site and especially on our Live auctions. Buying from a reputable bookseller who is willing to disclose every detail of a book's condition and/or return your money if you are not satisfied is a good start.

While finding a book that is in solid condition is important, finding it in complete condition can mean the difference of thousands of dollars! A book with a dustjacket is much more valuable than the same book without it and with older First Edition books from authors such as Hemingway, Steinbeck, and Faulkner, the difference in value between a in dustjacket copy and not is tremendous . In some cases such as F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic "A Great Gatsby", having just a part of the dustjacket at all raises the value exponentially!

For example:

1925 Scribners First Printing copy of 'The Great Gatsby' (with all issue points or errors) in POOR condition (no dustjacket) - $1750

1925 Scribners First Printing copy of 'The Great Gatsby' (with all issue points or errors) in VERY GOOD condition (no dustjacket) - $2500

1925 Scribners First Printing copy of 'The Great Gatsby' (with all issue points or errors) in NEAR FINE condition (no dustjacket) - $3000

1925 Scribners First Printing copy of 'The Great Gatsby' (with all issue points or errors) in any condition WITH PARTIAL DUSTJACKET - $50,000 +

1925 Scribners First Printing copy of 'The Great Gatsby' (with all issue points or errors) in any condition WITH VERY GOOD DUSTJACKET - $100,000 +

It is important to understand the different words that are commonly used to describe books and the names for the different components of books. When searching for a book you've been wanting for ages, knowing exactly what you are getting for the price you are paying will help you build your collection the way you want. That is why we are here! We learn something new each and every day and are happy to pass on what we learned yesterday... the day before... that day before that...

MINT (10): When your book receives a MINT 10 grade, your book and jacket are virtually perfect; as if it came off your local bookstore shelf that day.

NEAR MINT (9): The book is almost perfect, with any defects being unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

FINE (8): Defects are noticeable, but extremely small in number and size

NEAR FINE (7): Defects are slightly more numerous, or larger in size

NEAR FINE - (6): Defects are still likely to go unnoticed by an untrained observer, but are obvious to a professional

VERY GOOD (5): The most common condition. Jacket showing wearing along the edges, soiling along page edges, or perhaps a slightly dented corner can all land a book in this grade.

VERY GOOD - (4): The book appears worn, but no gross defects (missing pages, larges tears or stains)

GOOD (3): Some gross defects, but minor in scale

GOOD- (2): Numerous small scale gross defects

POOR (1): A poor book is soiled, has numerous torn or missing pages, appears to have been used as a table prop. Seen often in children's books.