A Guide to Book Conditions

Max’s Cookbook Shop, or as this should probably say, my cookbook shop, is focused on the reselling of old cookbooks. Outside my own (ie books I have written) published cookbooks, the vast majority of the cookbooks sold here are second, third, fourth or maybe even fifth-hand and in various conditions. Below is a list of the conditions (and their definitions) that we will use to describe the books we sell:

  • BRAND NEW (BN): A brand new book that is in mint condition and may or may not be shrink-wrapped.

  • AS NEW (AN): The book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published, no matter how long ago that was. This would be the description for a book that has been lost in a warehouse and was never shelved, thumbed through or perhaps even opened, yet may still be some years old. In terms of our returns policy, this is not deemed BRAND NEW (BN), because it isn’t.

  • FANTASTIC (F): A FANTASTIC (F) book approaches the condition of AS NEW (AN), but without being quite as crisp. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no apparent defects to the book, jacket (if present) or pages.

  • VERY GOOD (VG): Describes a book that shows some small signs of wear - but no tears - on the jacket (if present), cover, binding or pages.

  • GOOD (G): Describes the average used worn book that has all pages present. You might say this ‘was in good nick for a book that’s really quite old and been owned by someone else before who probably actually read it and loved it, but looked after it well’

  • A BIT BATTERED BUT CHARMINGLY SO (BB): Worn book that shows wear and tear but the jacket ( if applicable) and all the pages appear to be present.

  • REALLY NOT THAT BAD CONSIDERING HOW OLD IT IS (RNTBCHOII): Describes a book that is really quite worn, but not that badly considering how old it is and the fact it might be eighth-hand. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc, and someone might well have written their name in it or scrawled some other shit in there we can’t do anything about. We will endeavour to put pictures of this kinf thing up for you to see so you don’t feel diddled but don’t say we didn’t warn you. Most really old books will probably be in this condition and all the more charming for it if you ask me. This isn’t necessarily a term used in a negative context, it’s just how it is innit.

Non-returnable items:

  • All AS NEW (AN) condition graded items

  • All FANTASTIC (F) condition graded items

  • All VERY GOOD (VG) condition graded items

  • All GOOD (G) condition graded items

  • All A BIT BATTERED BUT CHARMINGLY SO (BB) condition graded items

  • All REALLY NOT THAT BAD CONSIDERING HOW OLD IT IS (RNTBCHOII) condition graded items

If you wish to return a BRAND NEW (BN) book from your order, please read through our Returns Policy and if it meets the eligible criteria, please fill out the Returns Request Form.