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Draft Comic Grading Definitions - Your comments and suggestion welcome as we work to finalize the grading definitions
Fine to Very Fine (FVF) General (wear, tears, creases, folds, color flaking, water stains, foxing, etc) A beautiful book. Scarce in all but 1980s and newer comics. If exceptional in other areas, could have ten of the following (must be must be 1/8" in size or less), small spine stress, slight corner blunting, miniscule tear, miniscule color flake. Could have a light crease on an interior page. Could have a light crease with color cracking on cover if 1/8" or less; this would be counted as one of the defects noted above; if 3/16" or less, this would count as two of the defects noted above; if ¼" or less, this would count as four of the defects noted above. Can not have more than one crease and this crease can not be larger than ¼". Could have up to three miniscule "Marvel" type chip of 1/16" or less. Could have up to two of these "Marvel" type chips if both are 1/8" or less. These would be counted as some of the defects noted above. An other wise near perfect book (i.e., virtually none of the defects noted above) could have a larger chip up to a ¼" triangle (not square) if on the back cover or interior pages. Spine: No evidence of abrasion (wear), still clean and sharp except for stress lines as noted above. Water stains, moderate foxing, or other signs of environmental damage are not allowed. Minor foxing is allowed but counts as six of the defects noted above. Printing Defects Could have a 1/4" bit of off center printing. Paper Quality (both cover and pages) Some change of paper color is allowed (yellowing paper at worst). If exceptional in all other areas, could have light tanning at the edges. At the edges means the edges, up to ¼" in, not most of the paper! Writing/name and address stamps/pen/pencil Very minor writing incurred as part of the distribution process is allowed. For example: light or average arrival dates or distributor marks are acceptable. A light initial of someone in pencil or pen is acceptable so long as there are no distributor marks. No heavy markings, no name or address stamps. Tape Not allowed. Restoration Not allowed.
Fine plus (FN+) (back to top) General (wear, tears, creases, folds, color flaking, water stains, foxing, etc) An attractive book. At first glance, looks to be very high grade. Many well kept books from the 1970s and early 1980s are in this condition. If exceptional in other areas, could have eleven of the following (must be must be 1/8" in size or less), small spine stress, slight corner blunting, miniscule tear, miniscule color flake. Could have a light crease on an interior page. Could have a light crease with color cracking on cover if 1/8" or less; this would be counted as one of the defects noted above; if 3/16" or less, this would count as two of the defects noted above; if ¼" or less, this would count as four of the defects noted above. Could have two of these creases if both are 1/8" or less. Can not have more than one crease if larger than this and then this crease can not be larger than ¼". Could have up to four miniscule "Marvel" type chip of 1/16" or less. Could have up to two of these "Marvel" type chips if both are 1/8" or less. These would be counted as some of the defects noted above. An other very nice book (i.e., not many of the defects noted above) could have a larger chip up to a ¼" triangle (not square) if on the back cover or interior pages. Spine: Could have very slight evidence of abrasion (wear), still clean and sharp. If any abrasion is present, it counts for six of the defects noted above. Water stains, moderate foxing, or other signs of environmental damage are not allowed. Minor foxing is allowed but counts as six of the defects noted above. Water stains or other signs of environmental damage are not allowed. Printing Defects Could have a 1/4" bit of off center printing. Paper Quality (both cover and pages) Some change of paper color is allowed (yellowing paper at worst). If exceptional in all other areas, could have light tanning at the edges. At the edges means the edges, up to ¼" in, not most of the paper! Writing/name and address stamps/pen/pencil Very minor writing incurred as part of the distribution process is allowed. For example: light or average arrival dates or distributor marks are acceptable. A light initial of someone in pencil or pen is acceptable so long as there are no distributor marks. No heavy markings, no name or address stamps. Tape Not allowed. Restoration Not allowed.
Fine (FN) (back to top) General (wear, tears, creases, folds, color flaking, water stains, foxing, etc) An attractive book. Many well kept books from the 1970s and early 1980s are in this condition. If exceptional in other areas, could have twelve of the following (all must be must be 1/8" in size or less), small spine stress, slight corner blunting, miniscule tear, miniscule color flake. Could have a light crease on an interior page. Could have a light crease with color cracking on cover if 1/8" or less; this would be counted as one of the defects noted above; if 3/16" or less, this would count as two of the defects noted above; if ¼" or less, this would count as four of the defects noted above. Could have two of these creases if both are 1/8" or less. Can not have more than one crease if larger than this and then this crease can not be larger than ¼". Could have up to four miniscule "Marvel" type chip of 1/16" or less. Could have up to two of these "Marvel" type chips if both are 1/8" or less. These would be counted as some of the defects noted above. An other wise very nice book (i.e., not many of the defects noted above) could have a larger chip up to a ¼" triangle (not square) if on the back cover or interior pages. Spine: Could have slight evidence of abrasion (wear), still clean and sharp. If any abrasion is present, it counts for six of the defects noted above. Could have the slightest curve to spine (not a true spine roll), if present, this counts for six of the defects noted above. Water stains, moderate foxing, or other signs of environmental damage are not allowed. Minor foxing is allowed but counts as six of the defects noted above. Printing Defects Could have a 1/4" bit of off center printing. Paper Quality (both cover and pages) Some change of paper color is allowed (yellowing paper at worst). If exceptional in all other areas, could have light tanning at the edges. At the edges means the edges, up to 3/8" in, not most of the paper! Writing/name and address stamps/pen/pencil Very minor writing incurred as part of the distribution process is allowed. For example: light or average arrival dates or distributor marks are acceptable. A light initial of someone in pencil or pen is acceptable so long as there are no distributor marks. No heavy markings, no name or address stamps. Tape Not allowed. Restoration Not allowed.
Fine minus (FN-) (back to top) General (wear, tears, creases, folds, color flaking, water stains, foxing, etc) An above average appearing book, especially for books older than the mid-1970s. If exceptional in other areas, could have thirteen of the following (all must be must be 1/8" in size or less), small spine stress, slight corner blunting, miniscule tear, miniscule color flake. Could have a light crease on an interior page. Could have up to two creases with color cracking on cover. Each crease would be considered as follows: if 1/8" or less; this would be counted as one of the defects noted above; if 3/16" or less, this would count as two of the defects noted above; if ¼" or less, this would count as four of the defects noted above, if 5/16" or less this would count as five of the defects noted above, if 3/8" or less this would count as six of the defects noted above. Could have two of these creases if both are 3/16" or less. Could have up to four miniscule "Marvel" type chip of 1/16" or less. Could have up to two of these "Marvel" type chips if both are 1/8" or less. These would be counted as some of the defects noted above. An other wise very nice book (i.e., not many of the defects noted above) could have a larger chip up to a ¼" triangle (not square) if on the back cover or interior pages. Spine: Could have slight evidence of abrasion (wear), still clean and sharp. If any abrasion is present, it counts for six of the defects noted above. Could have the slightest curve to spine (not a true spine roll), if present, this counts for six of the defects noted above. Water stains, moderate foxing, or other signs of environmental damage are not allowed. Minor foxing is allowed but counts as six of the defects noted above. Printing Defects Could have a 1/4" bit of off center printing. Paper Quality (both cover and pages) Some change of paper color is allowed (yellowing paper at worst). If exceptional in all other areas, could have light tanning at the edges. At the edges means the edges, up to 3/8" in, not most of the paper! Writing/name and address stamps/pen/pencil Very minor writing incurred as part of the distribution process is allowed. For example: light or average arrival dates or distributor marks are acceptable. A light initial of someone in pencil or pen is acceptable so long as there are no distributor marks. Possibly one well placed name or address stamp that is not exceptionally large or heavy. No heavy markings, no multiple name or address stamps. Tape Not allowed. Restoration Not allowed.
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