Condition is extremely important to many who collect SF material. Therefore, I grade carefully,
being conservative
when in doubt. Below are the standards I use to grade all Pulp magazines. Age is not a factor in
grading. Good for it's age is not a meaningful phrase
as age is not a factor in grading since all magazines are held to the same standards. There are just
not as many older magazines in the higher grades.
FINE- Excellent condition, with no tears or creases. Lustre remaining on laminated covers, pages closer to white than yellow. No tape anywhere
very slight wear-item has been read but carefully. Recent issues may have address labels attached.
VERY GOOD- Shows some signs of wear. May have minor creases or very slight spine roll. Paper not as white as fine.
An average copy showing considerable wear, though not yet falling apart. May be taped.
GOOD- Spine may be coming loose top & bottom. Pages more yellow than white. Heavy cover creases.
DEFECTIVE COPIES-
abbreviations used for damaged copies
NC- no covers
LM- logo missing
NS- no spine
NFC- no front cover
RC- reading copy
SD- Spine damage
NBC- no back cover
#- brown
taped spine
STC- Tears in cover, fragments missing, but less than 1 square inch total
LTC- Tears in cover, fragments missing- one to 3 square inches.