About Used Books

Condition Scale

Book Condition Description Information.

These are John's Creative & Books general book condition guidelines. However, they are subjective and open to interpretation and are not absolute. John's Creative & Books's opinion and yours may be different. Because of this, it is best to rely on the description in the store or auction listing rather than “the rating” in regards to book’s condition. John's Creative & Books tries to be a bit conservative when grading books.

Things that will always be included in condition descriptions if applicable:

• Ex-Library materials. 
• Book Club editions. 
• Remainder Marks. 
• Bookplates and embossed seals. 
• Previous owner’s name. 
• Missing dust jackets. 
• Dust jackets with inside flaps clipped. 
• Page tanning. 
• Book spine splits/binding flaws.

Regarding Used Books Grading Scale:

New:  A brand new, unread copy as published.

Like New:  Appears unread. Hard covers have dust jackets. Pages are clean with no notes, underlines or highlights. There are no page creases or dogeared pages.

Very Good:  A read copy in excellent condition. Pages are clean with no notes, underlines or highlights. Spine is good condition with no creases. Hard covers have dust jackets. No page creases or dogeared pages.

Good:  A read copy whose pages might have minimal notes, underlines, or highlighting. Might have former owner’s name or “From the library of “ books plates or embossed seals but this does not include Ex-Library material with labels and stamps. The book may have spine creases and wear to spine, cover rubbing and scuffing, and edge and corner wear. Hard covers will have dust jackets. No missing or loose pages.

Average: Showing more wear than good rating might merit but not enough to be acceptable condition. Falls in a grey area right on edge between good and acceptable. Might be considered lower end of good rating.

Acceptable:  No missing or loose pages or missing covers. Pages may have heavy, notes, underlines or highlighting but text is still readable. On hardbacks, the dust jackets may be missing. Heavy cover rubbing and scuffing and edge and corner wear. Covers may have multiple creases. May have minor stains or soiling. Heavy wear to spine. May be Ex-Library material with labels and stamps and clearly noted in description.

Reader copy (poor):  All pages are present but has seen heavy use. The copy is readable but it is condition is not pretty. (Rarely offered - John's Creative & Books only sell books with this rating that are very unusual or unique in some way or are a very hard to find title. Otherwise, John's Creative & Books just recycles them.)

If you have questions regarding an item, please e-mail: shop@johnscreativeandbooks.com

Last updated on May 5, 2019

Artwork FAQs

These are the seven basic things that encompass my teaching philosophy.

General Information About the Artwork:

Each piece is professionally produced and mounted using quality materials. All are signed and identified with the artist logo plate. On framed pieces, the plate is mounted on the sealed backing. On unframed work, the logo plate is mounted on the mat backing board or on the back of the hardboard panel.

When needed, acid-free or pH-neutral mat board and materials are used when possible. (Depending the artwork's conceptual basis, some artwork is constructed from non-archival materials and will be noted when known.) Framed pieces use wood or metal frames sealed with backing paper to prevent artwork damage. 

Unframed pieces are mounted using acid-free archival tape and matted in quality mat board and are packaged in archival plastics bags. On work that is 11 inches x 14 inches and smaller, johnscb uses pre-cut pH-neutral 4-ply mats and backing boards. Pieces on hardboard panels are unmounted without mat. (SEE ARTWORK DESCRIPTION FOR METHODS USED.)

For larger pieces, johnscb cuts the mats and mounting boards, on a quality mat cutter, from 100% cotton, acid-free 4-ply Museum Board as well as an acid-free 3/16 inch foamboard backing board. On framed pieces, the artwork is secured in the frame with glazer's points. 

Artwork FAQ’s

Artwork images online:

Due to variations in monitor displays, colors, brightness and contrast, Internet images may vary from actual artwork.

Artwork shipping information:

Artwork ships via US Mail with delivery conformation and insurance. For larger pieces, UPS or FedX Ground may be used. Shipping is normally within two to three business days after payment has been received. Interested international purchasers, please e-mail before buying or bidding since some countries have restrictions and listed shipping prices reflect United States shipping costs.

Regarding artwork copyrights:

The artist retains all copyrights. You are purchasing the artwork only and the artwork's image may not be used without the express written permission of the artist. Reproduction and commercial use are prohibited. Artist retains reproduction rights although the buyer is purchasing an ORIGINAL work of art. No copyrights are being transferred. If you have questions regarding the artwork copyright or copyright issue with something on johnscreativeandbooks.com, please e-mail: shop@johnscreativeandbooks.com

DISCLAIMER:  ALL ARTIST MATERIALS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND/OR AVAILABILITY AND CAN CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE OR PRIOR APPROVAL. THE ARTIST/JOHNSCB RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE OR CHANGE MATERIALS AND OR METHODS AT ANYTIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OR APPROVAL. SEE ARTWORK DESCRIPTION FOR ARTWORK MATERIALS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

What if I still have a question?
If you have questions regarding an item, please e-mail: shop@johnscreativeandbooks.com

Last updated on May 5, 2019