In our humble opinion, in plain English there are really only three positive words
to describe anything. These are taught in school as "good", "better" and "best".
More than that rapidly becomes a confusing "256 shades of gray".
For our items, we refer to those 3 levels as:

"Average"
"Collectible"
"Extraordinary"

While this may seem unprofessional to the selling community,
it is our hope that it will be welcomed by you, the buyers of
books, magazines and other collectibles. For example, recently
we saw a paperback listing that contained the grading "VG+/VG++" !
What would be between those 2 shades of gray, "VG 1½+"?

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This is our equivalent of what the mainstream grading systems call
"Fair" or "Good" and "Good to Very Good" [ F - GVG ] [O.N.E. 5 thru 34 ].

Put simply, WE mean "an AVERAGE used item" or "reader copy book".

Here is a combined definition of "Good" ( "Fair" is WORSE ! ) as
stated by all of the famous comics and paperback value guides:

"A worn, torn, flaked, copy with covers
that are scuffed, scraped, crumpled, or
bent and have multiple creases. Tape,
water/dampstains, writing, brittle pages,
may have pieces missing, heavily rolled
[ slanted, cocked, split ] spines, insect
or rodent damage, soiled [dirt, stains]
covers or inner pages; ALL are to be
EXPECTED in this grade."

Does that sound "good" to you? Now you see why the heading
of this section mentioned the word "awful" as well as the term
"Average" which we consider the primary meaning of our "A".
Yes, we have several items in "Average" condition for sale here,
and they do have SOME of the above listed flaws, but not ALL !
The only time we would list an "awful" is if it was BOTH rare
and the ONLY copy we had ever seen in 45 years of searching !
Most importantly, if there is one, we will STATE that it is an
"awful", not use the misleading words "good" or "fair" !
Please read "C" & "E".

This is our widest category which starts with what book grading
systems call a "Very Good" and includes "Very Good to Fine"
[ VG - VGF ]. Confusingly, in books, "Fine" is the top grade,
whereas in comics & magazines there are 3 more to "Mint" !
Our "C" would include the ONE system's 35 - 89. Here is the
explanation of what to expect in our "C = Collectible" grade.

An above-average piece that has some flaws.

Read the NOTES field! As space permits, EACH
noteworthy flaw that kept this from being an "E"
should be listed. A few noted flaws do not keep an
item from being collectible.
Please read "A" & "E".

This is our top category which combines what most book
grading systems call "About Fine" or "Near Fine" and "Fine"
[ AF/NF - F/FN ]. Confusingly, in books, "Fine" is the top grade,
but in comics & magazines there are 3 more grades to "Mint" !
Our "E" would include the ONE system's 90 - 100. Here is the
explanation of what to expect in our "E = Extraordinary" grade.

A "like new", nearly perfect * piece. The BEST.

*Read the NOTES field! Under a magnifying glass anyone
can find SOME flaw. We will try to find at least one thing
to list, as we agree "nothing is perfect". N.B. - small
arrival-date stamps usually on the top of the first right-
hand page are accepted without mention in this grade.
Please read "A" & "C".