MASTER DETECTIVE CRIME MAGAZINE December 1990 MY MAGAZINE GRADING SYSTEM I try to be fair and honest in my grading, and make every attempt to mention loose or cut pages, stains, tears, binding damage, etc. Sometimes I find that a magazine falls between two grades, in which case I will list it with a two-grade scale. NEAR MINT - MINT: I rarely use these grades, except when a magazine is in truly exceptional condition. VERY FINE: very nice with virtually no major defects. FINE+:an even nicer copy, with minimal obvious defects. FINE:a nice copy, flat with minor creases; may have some spine stress, but no prominent defects. FINE-:better than VG+ but just a bit short of what I would consider Fine. VERY GOOD+: most of the magazines I list fall into this grade; a typical read magazine with obvious defects as noted. VERY GOOD: fairly well-read with an accumulation of tears and defects as noted; may be heavily creased or spine-rolled; may have browning; light water stains may be present; cover may be pulling at staples. GOOD: a complete but heavily-read magazine; may be missing pieces of covers, loose covers, rolled spine or other noted damage. FAIR: a rough magazine, with many defects including tears. missing pieces, water damage, spine wear, etc. POOR: no missing pages unless noted, but otherwise a pretty trashed magazine; almost any and every damage may be present.