Welcome! I am selling most of my books, especially Cookbooks, History and Literature. Be sure to check out my large Shakespeare section.
We add new items everyday, so check back often.
I try my best to evaluate each item honestly. Below are the guidelines I use. However, I am only an amateur collector. I do not have any certification for evaluating any of the items I sell. It is possible I may think something is unimportant and does not affect the value which a collector might consider important or vice versa. Please keep this in mind when reading any of my ads.
If you would like more detailed information about any item, please send me a message via eBay. I usually respond to these messages within 24 hours.
An item goes through the evaluation process at least twice and sometimes three or more times. I evaluate the item when I first list it. I also re-evaluate it when the item sells to verify I did not miss anything. Additionally, whenever someone asks a question about an item, I check it against the description and, rarely, make changes to the listing.
If you have received an item and feel I have missed something in the description, please contact me. Let me assure you any omissions are rare and unintentional. I promise to do everything I can to provide complete satisfaction. Please go to my customer service page to address any problems you might have with a transaction.
An item may have one or two of the imperfections described at a condition level but if it has more than that the condition is downgraded by one level. A condition level includes the possibility of any imperfections listed in the levels above it plus the possibility of any of the imperfections listed at that level.
I never use stock photos. The picture is always of the specific item I have for sale. For duplicate items, I picture one which is representative.
Books
When evaluating the condition of a book, I do not examine every page of the book. I examine the inside and the outside of the front and back covers, the page edges and the first and last pages. Then I flip through the book looking for marks, tears or any other imperfection.
If I have the dust jacket for a book, it will be included in the description and evaluation. I am not able to state if a dust jacket is missing as I don't always know.
While I sell books on all subjects my main focus is cookbooks. Cookbooks are evaluated in the same manner as any other book. However, there are problems specific to cookbooks rarely occurring in other used books. For example, a single page might have a food stain or be well-worn while the remaining pages in the book are pristine.
I try to find these types of imperfections, when they exist, but, since I do not examine every page, I sometimes miss something. It does not happen often but if this concerns you about a specific book you are interested in, cookbook or otherwise, please contact me before ordering and I will check the book more thoroughly.
New
This book is as you would find it on a shelf in a retail bookstore. This book may have been owned by others but it has no signs of having been read. The book has no wear, tears, marks or folds. It has its original color and luster. It has no discernible odor.
Like New
This book is in the same condition as a "New" book but I don't feel comfortable labeling it that way.
Excellent
This book may have some very minor flaws. It has no tears. Wear, if any, is minor. The spine may have a reading crease. The cover corners may be bumped. A page corner may be folded. There may be an ownership signature or a gifting inscription written on the inside. It may have a bookplate. The covers, edges and pages are otherwise clean.
Very Good
This book will have some minor flaws. It may have some wear on the covers or page edges. It may have a very tiny tear on an edge. It may have some very small marks on it. Some pages may have folds in the corners of them. The pages may have some foxing but they will not be brittle.
Ex-Lib
This book is a withdrawn library book. It will have some of the usual stickers, stamps, tape, pocket and wear associated with this. Other than this, the book will be in "Very Good" or better condition unless otherwise noted.
Good
This book will have some flaws. It will have some wear. There may be small tears on the edges of the covers or pages. There may be marks on the pages edges or inside the book. This book may have writing or a water stain on the pages. Additional flaws may be noted in the description section of the ad.
Acceptable
This book is worn but is a good reading copy. This book may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges or pages. This book may have a musty odor.
Poor
A book in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Magazines and Comic Books
When evaluating the condition of a magazine, I do not examine every page of the magazine. I examine the inside and the outside of the front and back covers, the page edges and the first and last pages. Then I flip through the magazine looking for imperfections.
While I sell magazines on many subjects my main focus is cooking. Cooking magazines are evaluated in the same manner as any other magazines. However, there are problems specific to cooking magazines rarely occurring in other used magazines. For example, a single page might have a food stain or be well-worn while the remaining pages in the magazine are pristine.
I try to find these types of imperfections, when they exist, but, since I do not examine every page, I sometimes miss something. It does not happen often but if this concerns you about a specific magazine you are interested in, cooking or otherwise, please contact me before ordering and I will check the magazine more thoroughly.
New
This magazine is as you would find it on a rack of a retail newsstand or as you would receive it in the mail from a subscription. This magazine may have been owned by others but it has no signs of having been read. The magazine has no wear, tears, marks or folds. It has its original color and luster. It has no discernible odor. It may have an address label or an address stamped directly on it. It will not have any marks from an address label being removed.
Like New
This magazine is in the same condition as a "New" magazine but I don't feel comfortable labeling it that way.
Excellent
This magazine may have some very minor flaws. It has no wear or tear. The spine may have a reading crease. A page corner may be folded. The covers, edges and pages are otherwise clean.
Very Good
This magazine will have some minor flaws. It may have some wear on the covers or page edges. It has no tears. It may have some very small marks on it. Some pages may have folds in the corners of them. The pages may have some foxing but they will not be brittle. The magazine may have a mark where an address label was removed.
Good
This magazine will have some flaws. It will have some wear. There may be small tears on the edges of the covers or pages. There may be marks on the pages edges or inside the magazine. Additional flaws may be noted in the description section of the ad.
Acceptable
This magazine is worn but is a good reading copy. This magazine may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose pages. This magazine may have a musty odor.
Poor
A magazine in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Posters
I get most of the posters I sell directly from the distributor. Unless otherwise noted, these posters are new.
Most posters are stored flat. Very large posters are stored in a poster tube. Posters with storage folds are stored folded (as originally intended) in a file folder.
Posters which I obtained in a roll are flattened, if possible, and stored that way. If they can't be flattened it will be noted in the specific description.
New
This poster is in pristine condition directly from the distributor.
Like New
This poster is one I collected myself and it is in its original condition.
Excellent
This poster may have a fold in a corner or a small crease that is hardly noticeable.
Very Good
This poster has a fold or a crease in it. Although it is noticeable, it is small
Good
This poster has a fold or a crease in it. The damage is not insignificant.
Acceptable
A poster in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Poor
A poster in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Clothing
New
Like New
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Poor
Toys, Games and Puzzles
When evaluating a toy, I examine it looking for scratches or missing pieces. I check the internet to see if any parts are missing.
When evaluating a game, I use the "contents" list from the box, instructions or online to verify all the parts are present. I check the pieces for condition.
When evaluating a puzzle, I generally assemble the puzzle to verify all the pieces are present. (I call this fun time for Mellie!) I take a picture of the puzzle while assembled. I then disassemble it as little as possible to fit it back into the box.
New
This toy, game or puzzle will be in the same condition as you would find it in a retail store.
Like New
This toy, game or puzzle will still be sealed in its original box and not used. However, the shrink-wrap may be torn. If there is a cardboard hanger, it may have a light crease in it.
Excellent
This toy, game or puzzle will be unsealed, if it comes in a box. It may not be in its original wrapper, if it came encased in plastic. It has been played with but only slightly marred, if at all. The box may have slight wear.
Very Good
This toy, game or puzzle has been played with. It may have scratches. All of the pieces will be present but most will have some signs of use. The box will be worn.
Good
All the pieces of this toy, game or puzzle have signs of use. For toys and games, some pieces may be missing but are not integral to the enjoyment of the item. Puzzles will have all their pieces.
Acceptable
A toy, game or puzzle in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Poor
A toy, game or puzzle in this condition will not be sold in my store so I will not waste your time describing it to you.
Dishes
New
Like New
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Poor
Other Items
New
Like New
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Poor
Please Note: In order to follow eBay's changing policies, this page is subject to change at any time. Please check back often.
Last Updated: December 7, 2010
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