POSTCARD GRADING SYSTEM

This is how we describe common conditions. Standards are high, so a card gets a lower number if there's any doubt. You won't be disappointed! Of course no single card is likely to have all of these flaws. Grading categories are broadly in line with international standards, except that we don't use "Mint" or "Near Mint" because cards do age like the rest of us ... If anything isn't clear, please ask before you order.

 

Never Mailed

Mailed

1. Excellent
  • No significant marks
  • Minor age discoloration or foxing
  • No folds or tears
  • All stamp(s) intact
  • Original message only; no extra notations
  • Little or no postmark smudging
  •      
    2. Very Good   
  • Some age discoloration
  • No significant folds or tears
  • No handwriting or extra marking
  • All stamp(s) intact
  • Some age discoloration
  • Original message only; no extra notations
  • No significant stains, folds or tears
  •      
    3. Good
  • Age discoloration
  • Minor notation on back
  • Minor wear and tear
  • At least one stamp intact
  • Extra writing apart from original message
  • Age discoloration
  • Minor wear and tear
  • Possibly mailed from a different country
  •      
    4. Fair
  • Handwriting on back, front, or both
  • Age discoloration
  • Rubber stamp from travel agent on back      
  • Wear and tear
  • Thumbtack hole(s)                         
  • Stamp(s) torn, missing, or defaced
  • Extra writing apart from original message
  • Message defaced
  • Extra writing on front, back, or both
  • Rubber stamp from travel agency on back
  • Wear and tear
  • Age discoloration
  • Thumbtack hole(s)
  •      
    5. Poor
  • Folds or tears
  • Significant staining
  • Major writing on front, back, or both
  • Space filler
  • Stamp(s) torn, missing, or defaced
  • Folds, tears, missing corner
  • Message defaced
  • Extra writing on front, back, or both
  • Space filler only
  •