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Book
&
Dustjacket
Condition
- A
Closer
Look
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Condition |
Today's
fast-paced
online
auctions
offer a
unique
opportunity
to
acquire
rare
titles
that are
seldom
found
elsewhere.
Typically,
the
sellers
are not
experienced
book
dealers,
but
rather
just
people
with
merchandise.
As
always,
one must
be
careful
when
buying
such
sight-unseen
items
(even
with
scans).
Remember,
the
value of
a rare
First
Edition,
First
Printing
varies
greatly
depending
upon the
condition
of the
book,
and even
more so
the
dustjacket.
Just as
we have
the old
real
estate
cliché,
Location,
Location,
Location,
you
would be
equally
justified
to
remember
a
similar
mantra
for
collectibles
- Condition,
Condition,
Condition.
So here
are a
few tips
that may
prove
helpful
in
getting
what you
expect
when
bidding
top
dollar.
As
a
life-long
collector,
I make a
concerted
effort
to help
others
in their
quest
for
books,
and I
make
every
effort
to
provide
the very
best
eBay
listings
possible.
Having
faced
the same
frustration
as many
others,
I am
well
aware
that you
cannot
use
title
page
dates to
determine
editions
or
printing
dates,
because
reprinters
such as
Grosset
&
Dunlap,
A.L.
Burt,
and
others
re-used
the
printing
plates.
As my
feedback
will
attest
to,
collectors
trust me
to
provide
accurate
listings
and I
make it
a point
to
research
every
detail
and make
sure I
indicate,
whenever
possible,
the
exact
printing
and
condition
of each
book.
I also
provide
a
website
with
photo
galleries
of all
of my
auctions.
Photo
Galleries |
Dustjacket
Condition |
(1)
Determine
location
&
extent
of any
chips,
tears,
or
creases.
(2)
Determine
if any
chips or
tears
affect
lettering,
logo or
artwork
of
dustjacket
on
front,
rear or
spine??
(3)
Determine
the
extent
of any
fading
and/or
darkening,
particularly
to the
front
and
spine of
the
dustjacket.
Note:
[When
checking
color
fade, pay
attention
to the
more
photo-sensitive
red and
orange
colors
as they
fade
more
rapidly.]
(4)
Check
for any
indication
of
water/moisture
stain/spotting
or
discoloring
(check
reverse/blind-side/verso
too)??
(5)
Check
for any
tape on
jacket
(particularly
on
reverse/blind
side/verso)??
(6)
Check if
jacket
been
repaired,
retouched
or
restored??
(7)
Check
for
price-clipping
(flap
corners).
(8)
Check if
jacket
is
reproduction,
recreation
or laser
copy.
|
Book
Condition:
Binding
&
Cover
Stock |
(1)
Check
binding
material
-- is
any of
binding
worn
through
or
frayed?
(2)
Check
binding
color
-- is
it
strong
&
vibrant;
sunned
&
faded
or
otherwise?
(3)
Determine
extent
of any
spotting/fading
on
binding?
Is
there
any
noticeable
discoloration?
(4)
Check
condition
of
hinge
-- is
strong
&
tight??
If
not,
is
hinge
tender
(just
starting),
loose
or
separated
and is
webbing
showing
through
at
hinge
cracks??
(5)
Check
if
spine
is
square
or
slanted/cocked?
Is
stitching
on
binding
separated/unraveling?
Are
both
front
and
rear
boards
tight
or
loose?
(6)
Is
there
any
indication
of
water/moisture
stain/spotting
or
discoloring
(check
reverse
too)??
(7)
Check
cover
and
spine
lettering
-- is
it
rubbed,
faded
or
flaking?
(8)
Check
binding
corners
-- are
they
bumped,
bent
or
rubbed
through
cloth??
(9)
Is
there
any
tape
or
glue
on
book??
(10)
Has
book
(cloth,
boards,
stitching)
been
repaired,
reconditioned
or
restored.
|
Pages
-- Paper
Condition
&
Tone |
Page
Condition:
(1)
Check
that all
pages
are
present
(none
missing)
(2)
Check if
any
pages
are
loose or
detached.
(3)
Check
for any
page
splits
(vertical
separation
along
spine
seam).
(4)
Check if
any page
are
torn,
bent,
dog-eared,
creased,
discolored
or
written
on??
(5)
Check
for any
writing
(pen or
pencil),
bookplates
or
labels.
Paper
Condition:
(1)
Check
for
foxing
or mold
spotting.
(2)
Determine
if pages
are
supple,
stiffening,
brittle
or
flaking.
Paper
Toning:
(5
color
levels):
Bright
White:
Modern
books
with
heavy
chemical
processing
&
bleaching.
Creamy
White:
Pleasing
color of
many
nice
vintage
books.
Yellowed:
Minor
paper
aging
due to
variations
in
humidity
&
temperature.
Tanned:
Indicative
of
lower-grade,
usually
high
acid
paper
pulp.
Browned:
Noticeably
darkened
pages
showing
declining
effects
of
lower-grade,
high
acid
paper
pulp.
|
Illustrations |
(1)
Check
that all
illustrations
are
present
(none
missing)
(2)
Check if
any
illustrations
are
loose,
detached
or
missing
completely.
(3)
Check
for any
plate
splits
(vertical
separation
along
spine
seam).
(4)
Check if
any
illustrations
are
torn,
bent,
dog-eared,
creased,
discolored
or
written
on??
(5)
Check
how many
illustrations
are
present
including
frontispiece,
glossy
internal
plates
and
cover
appliqués.
Many
reprints
reduced
the
quantity
of
plates.
(6)
Check
condition
and
toning
as with
paper. |
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