The following definitions are those used in our listings.

1. As New describes a book that is immaculate and pristine. Its use includes the dustjacket.

2. Fine approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp and, importantly, there must also be no defects to either the book or jacket.

3. Near Fine approaches Fine but has small, minor, described defects.

4. Very Good describes a book that shows some small signs of wear on the binding, text pages and/or dustjacket. Any defects will be noted and a book with significant defects such as a large tear in a page or a small tear on the jacket would have this listing.

5. Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. All defects must be noted.

6. Fair is book whose binding, jacket and text pages are tired and worn. It possesses its complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. All defects will be noted.

7. Poor describes a book that is sufficiently worn 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 must be noted. The book may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

8. Ex-library copies will be described as such with defects noted.

9. Book Club editions will be identified as such with defects noted.

10. Binding Copy describes a book in which the the binding is very bad, loose, off, or nonexistent. The pages or leaves, however, are in good enough condition to warrant the commission of a replacement binding.

A description that includes something like VG/G+ is, describing the condition of the book and then the dustjacket. That is, a "very good" book with a "good plus" jacket. The lack of a dustjacket, slipcase or other original accompaniment will be noted if the book was issued with it.