Helping the Environment
At last we have managed to source biodegradable bubblewrap, when we have used all current stock of bubblewrap we will, for all future orders, use the new biodegradable bubblewrap. It has the same protective quality and durability as traditional bubble wrap, but is designed to completely break down in the environment and it is a pretty green colour!
Bubble bags - We have now source biodegradable bubble bags.
Tissue paper is acid free and biodegradable.
Cardboard book cartons and boxes are recyclable.
Book Terms
Very Fine - The optimum grade, probably best described to a book that has not been touched by publisher, author, bookseller or daylight! the book will be as new and unread. No obvious imperfections. Bright dust jacket with bright, tight pages. Free from ownership inscriptions or labels, not price clipped (the retail price still intact). No remainder markings (a book may be marked with two ink lines usually on the top or bottom end pages). Books may be signed and inscribed by the author and illustrator or indeed "doodled"/Illustrated by the author or the illustrator.
With some books a VFine condition is almost impossible to achieve as practically all modern paper is manufactured with the presence of lignin, a natural adhesive that binds wood fibres: Lignin eventually turns paper yellow/tan/brown because of oxidation. That is, the lignin molecules, when exposed to oxygen in the air, begin to change and become less stable. The lignin will absorb more light, giving off a darker colour. After only a few hours of sunlight and oxygen, book pages manufactured with lignin present will start to change from white to off-white etc… So unless you can grab your book off the printing press, place in dark hermetically sealed box there will always be some discolouration from original state, although some publishers do go to the added expense of bleaching the paper a process that removes lignin which helps keep your books ‘bright white’
Fine – This is our principal grading for all books published prior to 2008. When described as ‘Fine’ our books will be unread, as new and have no significant flaws to the book or dust jacket. Free from ownership inscriptions or labels, not price clipped (the retail price still intact). No remainder markings (a book may be marked with two ink lines usually on the top or bottom end pages). Books may be signed and inscribed by the author and illustrator or indeed "doodled"/Illustrated by the author or the illustrator. Minor imperfection to book(s) will be noted.
NearFine - The book or dust jacket has more obvious fault(s), all flaws will be noted in the book description.
Very Good – A book that is complete but may have the following: ownership markings, price clipped , remainder markings. Older books may be foxed (spotting to pages caused by chemical reaction of some types of paper with the atmosphere). The book will have lost its brightness of the end pages, exposure to sunlight will have a yellowing effect on the end pages. Gilt may be worn. Unless a very rare title we do not stock books defined as Very Good.
Good – A “good” book has very obvious problems. Hinges may be cracked, dustjackets may be torn or in a “shabby” state (without loss). Essentially, unless a rare book, a reading copy for pleasure rather than placing in a collection. Unless a very rare title, we do not stock books defined as Good.
Labels/stickers on book
Some customers want labels/stickers left on the books and others have asked why we have left label on book. We have decided to leave labels/stickers on books as those customers wishing to remove said items may do so themselves. Many books sold are described as "with original price sticker still intact" etc... and are much sought after.
If a label is removed prior to the book being subjected to sunlight there should be no fade mark left on the cover. All of our books are kept in a 'black-out' room so there should be no fade mark for those collectors that wish to remove the sticker/label.
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