Book Search
New Listings Alert
| Subscribe to Otis Prairiedog's New Listings Alerts! |
 |
 |
 |
|
Nothing is more frustrating to the buyer of a book than to think they are getting a book in VERY GOOD or better condition and finding that it is only GOOD or FAIR. Nothing is more frustrating to the seller of a book than to send out a book in VERY GOOD condition and having it returned because it had a small crease or mark on page 247. The condition of a book has a great deal to do with its value. An ALMOST NEW copy of a book is worth more than a book with underlining that has no dust jacket. We use the following general descriptions for condition. Please note if a book has a dust jacket, the condition of the dust jacket is described separately. NEW. We only describe a book as NEW if we purchased it as a new book, or if the book is in its original publisher’s shrinkwrap. If there is a question, we will defer to a lower rating. A NEW book never has a remainder mark or any writing or markings inside. ALMOST NEW. This is a rating from Amazon that has become more and more commonly used. Older rating systems would consider this as FINE or NEAR FINE. An ALMOST NEW book is free from flaws or markings, but does not have the crispness of a NEW book. VERY GOOD. A VERY GOOD book may have some flaws, but is in better condition than one would expect for a book of its age and genre. If the book has any markings at all, the markings are noted; a VERY GOOD book does NOT have any highlighting or underlining. A NEW or ALMOST NEW book with a remainder mark might be downgraded to VERY GOOD; this would be noted in the description. GOOD. This is the expected condition of the book. A GOOD book has been read and used in its lifetime, resulting in flaws or general wear to the book. Age is a factor. A GOOD title published in 1990 would have less wear than a GOOD book published in 1910. The book may have some underlining, highlighting or marginalia, but this will be noted in the description. ACCEPTABLE. Originally this would be designated as FAIR condition, but currently ACCEPTABLE is also in general use. A book in ACCEPTABLE condition has significant flaws or damage and cannot be sold as a GOOD copy. It is intended for the buyer who only wants to read the book or use it for reference and is looking for an inexpensive copy. POOR. A book is poor condition has major problems with its binding. We only list books in POOR condition under very limited circumstances. Occasionally a legitimately RARE book comes to us in POOR condition. Despite the condition, this book may still be of interest. This also applies to books on special subjects, antiquarian books, or occasionally others. When a book is POOR condition is listed, it is noted as such and the problems are described. A NOTE TO COLLECTORS: The collector is seeking the ideal “perfect” copy of a title. When we list books as NEW or ALMOST NEW, they will likely fit into an acceptable range for the collector. VERY GOOD should be considered carefully before ordering. GOOD and lower ratings should not be considered as collectible items. OTHER TERMS: EX-LIBRARY. An ex-library copy of a book has been discarded from a public or school library. Libraries tend to mark their books with writing, stamps, and, in older books, card pockets. As a rule, we do not list ex-library books. Exceptions would be older or rare titles that are hard to find. When we do list an ex-library book it is designated as such. We consider EX-LIBRARY copies to be reading or reference copies and will also note this in the description. READING COPY. A reading copy is a book with major flaws or problems. We only list a READING COPY if it is unusual. rare or has a particular interest for a buyer. Often we come across antiquarian books that need rebinding. These books are sold as READING COPIES. They often provide a good title at a good price. ANTIQUARIAN. This refers to a book that is “Antique”--generally considered an older and collectible book. We usually consider a book to be antiquarian if it is more than 100 years old, usually from the nineteenth century. |
Special Books
Give Me the Hudson or the Yukon
$4.50 |
The Trail of Tears
$3.00 |
1000 Difficult Bible Questions Answered
$6.00 |