Online Shop Book Condition Description & Format Guide

OXFAM BOOKSHOP  - ONLINE SHOP

BOOK CONDITION, DESCRIPTION & FORMAT GUIDE

Our books and other print materials offered for sale are all second-hand, donated goods
They are all likely to show some signs of wear

The paper used in book manufacture varies greatly, and most can brown over time, some significantly
This is a natural process, caused by a combination of factors such as the composition of the paper, and conditions in which the item has been stored

Some books can smell quite strongly. The smell may be a combination of ageing of the components of the book, and from where it has been stored. If a book has a particularly strong smell, this will be noted in the Description
Older, and very old books are unlikely to have no ‘old book’ smell

We take care, as much as possible, to describe and list our products correctly
Photographs are generally of the actual item, and form part of its description
Where we have used an image from our image library, it will be of another copy in a similar condition to the one listed

If, in your opinion, the item you receive differs significantly from the description, you may be eligible for a refund for that item. Please contact us if that is the case

CONDITION GUIDE

VERY GOOD

General appearance: minimal signs of wear

Spine: firm & square; minimal creasing in the case of paperbacks

Cover: a few minor bumps and nicks. Those of stapled items will be firm at the crease, and the pages still attached

Dust jacket (if present): may have minor damage

Sun damage: none, or minor

Browning: newer books will not have discoloured pages, older books may be slightly browned

Pages: will not have been turned down or creased; will be clean

Inscriptions, bookplates, markings: no previous owner name, private bookplate, greeting, or notes/highlight/underlining of text

Previous booksellers’ marks: older books and sheet music may have original bookseller stickers or stamp. Will not have previous bookseller remainder marks, or other secondary bookseller marks

Ex library: will not be ex-library

Plastic cover: only if removable without damage to the book/dust jacket

GOOD:

General appearance: moderate signs of wear

Spine: reasonably firm & square; some creasing in the case of paperbacks

Cover: average signs of wear, some bumping to edges. Paperbacks may have some creases. Those of stapled items may additionally be quite thin at the crease, but the pages will still be attached

Dust jacket (if present): may have some tears / discolouration / sun damage, but will be in one piece

Sun damage: some, especially on the spine

Browning: some

Pages: some pages may have been turned down at edges or have slight creases, will be generally clean

Inscriptions: may have previous owners’ names, private bookplate. No, or very minor, notes/highlight/underlining of text

Previous booksellers’ marks: may have original seller’s sticker or stamp. May have previous seller remainder mark, or other secondary bookseller marks

Ex library: may be as Very Good above, except for library stamps, stickers, pockets, etc

Plastic cover: may have a removable cover                               

FAIR

General appearance: reasonable signs of wear

Spine: may have considerable creasing; may not be square, and be quite loose

Cover: may have considerable signs of wear, significant bumping to edges, significant creases in the case of paperbacks. Those of stapled items may be quite thin, or have come apart, at the crease, and the pages may be unattached. May be grubby

Dust jacket (if present): may have significant tears / discolouration / sun damage, may not be in one piece

Sun damage: may have considerable

Browning: some to reasonably significant

Pages: pages may have been turned down at edges or creased, may have some marks and staining.

Inscriptions: may have previous owners’ names, private bookplate, personal greeting. Moderate, notes/highlight/underlining of text

Previous booksellers' marks: may have original seller’s sticker or stamp. May have previous seller remainder mark, or other secondary bookseller marks

Ex library: may be as Good above, except for library stamps, stickers, pockets, etc

Plastic cover: may have a plastic cover adhered to the book cover / dust jacket, or a removable one that may have marked the book / cause damage if removed

POOR

The book is intact informationally, but its condition will be worse than Fair above

Covers, endpapers: may be missing altogether

Pages: may be loose

Ex-library: may be as Fair above, but ex-library

Plastic cover: as Fair above

BOOK FORMAT DESCRIPTIONS

Hard cover with dust jacket [d/j]

Hard cover without dust jacket [d/j] – note that this may include books with pictorial board covers

Soft cover – includes all paperbacks and mass market paperbacks

Pamphlet / stapled item

Unbound item

Sheet Music: may not be given a separate format