We take every book in hand, leaf through it page by page and describe its condition in one word. If there's anything you should know about, we add it after a comma. Here's what our words mean.
This is how it looks on a book
Condition: good, slightly worn dust jacket
Condition scale
New
Unread, as if from a bookshop.
No signs of use at all. Some are still shrink-wrapped – then we write “new, in film”.
Excellent
Read barely once.
Firm binding, clean and straight pages, dust jacket intact. You'll only spot the difference from a new book on closer inspection.
Very good
Light signs of reading.
Slightly rubbed edges or corners, somewhat yellowed paper in older editions. Nothing that would get in the way of reading.
Good
A book with age and a story.
Visible signs of use – rubbed edges, yellowed pages, minor flaws in the binding. Complete, sound and a pleasure to read. About 9 out of 10 of our books are described this way.
Well preserved
In good shape for its age.
Used for older and rarer prints. It shows the marks of time, but given the year of publication it is in good condition.
Why is “good” the most common? An antiquarian bookshop isn't a warehouse of new books – most of our titles have already served someone, many for decades. So “good” doesn't mean “poor”: it's an honest book you'll be glad to put on your own shelf. Anything beyond normal wear is always noted.
What the note after the comma means
Dust jacket
The paper cover fitted over the book's boards. It protects the book, which is why it is the first thing to show wear.
- no dust jacket
- the book was published with a dust jacket, but it hasn't survived; the book itself is fine
- slightly worn dust jacket
- small scuffs or creased edges
- worn / faded dust jacket
- visible scuffs, fading or greying
- torn / damaged dust jacket
- a small tear or missing piece, typically at the edges
Ex-library
Books once lent out by a library and later withdrawn.
- withdrawn library copy, library copy
- may have a library stamp, shelfmark, label or plastic cover
- stamp at the front
- stamp (of a library or previous owner) on the endpaper or title page
Inscriptions and signatures
Handwritten words that make the book one of a kind.
- inscribed / unrelated inscription
- an inscription from a previous owner, such as “To dear Anka on her birthday” – for many, the charm of old books
- author's inscription, author's dedication
- inscribed in the author's own hand – a rarity
- signed by the author
- the author's signature in the book; you'll also find such books in the category Signed copies
Readers' traces
A previous owner made notes in the book.
- underlining, pencil notes
- underlined lines or notes in the margin, usually light
- owner's name, dated
- a name or date written in, usually on the endpaper
Binding and pages
What holds the book together.
- fragile binding
- an older glued spine – the book is complete, just don't force it open flat
- loose pages
- some pages have come loose from the binding, but none are missing
- slanted spine
- the book leans slightly, as if it had stood at an angle on a shelf for a long time
- non-original binding
- the book was rebound later
Stains and marks of time
Small things that come with old books.
- slight stains, smudges on the boards
- small spots on the cover, the inside is clean
- signs of damp, wavy pages
- the pages are slightly wavy, the text is legible
Supplements
What originally came with the book.
- no CD, no DVD
- the originally enclosed disc is missing
- with a record
- a gramophone record is included
The photos are always real
We photograph every book ourselves – the photo shows exactly the copy we'll send you.
Not sure?
Write to us before buying at info@antikvariatwalden.sk or via WhatsApp and we'll gladly send more photos.
14 days to think it over
When you buy online, you have 14 days by law to withdraw from the contract. Details can be found in the terms & conditions.