Book Condition

Since you can purchase book new and used books on OldBookDepot the condition of each book is mentioned on the product listing page below the description. Following is your guide to understand the condition of books available on OldBookDepot

New – As the name suggest, these are brand new books.

Like New – Could easily be mistaken for brand new. Undamaged cover, no missing pages, all pages undamaged (no creases or tears), no underlining/highlighting of text, no damage to binding, no writing in margins.  This book may be an overstock/remainder.  For Hardcover books, Dust Jacket will be included with no damage.

Very Good – In great condition for a used book. Has been read but has no significant damage to the cover and all pages are present and undamaged but pages could have slight tear. The pages of book could be also be yellow or may have yellow spots that are caused by humidity and other exposures. Minimal wear and tear on the cover and pages like creased pages, bent/crease on cover, corners of cover/spine could be slightly bent and torn and plastic lamination of cover could be slightly missing or coming off. Binding has minimal wear but nothing that would cause loosening of pages. There will be no writing on any page of the book except previous owner’s name that may be written on one of the first few pages.

As for Hardcover books, the dust jacket would be optional and therefore may or may not included. The dust jacket if provided, may have visible damage. In vintage hardcover editions (titles older than 50 years) gilding including on the book’s cover or spine would be fading.

Good – A book that has been read but is in good condition. Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, holes or tears, cover would have crease and plastic lamination could have significant damaged like missing/coming off from significant section of cover. Binding will have wear and tear or usage but sufficient to keep pages intact. The majority of pages are undamaged with minimal creasing or tearing, minimal pencil/pen like minimum underlining of text, previous owner’s name written/personalized message on first page, little highlighting of text in inner pages, no writing in margins. No missing pages. Book’s pages would be yellow and there would be visible tear to pages.

Hardcover books will come without dust jacket and may have slight damage to cover. The color of cover will be fading from various spots. The gilding would be completely faded and cover could be slightly bent or dented in shape.

Fair – A fair condition paperback book will yellowish pages with excessive use of highlighter and pen/pencil to make notes. Cover would be folded from multiple locations and will could have tear at the spine edge. Binding of book may have some damage, but pages will be well glued. Excessive writing on the margin of pages and highlighting would be present.

Hardcover books won’t have dust jackets and the cover will be completely faded and out of shape due to dents and curve.

How to Check Book Condition?

The condition of each book is mentioned in its listing. You can check it above Add to Cart button. Please see the screenshot below.