Signed Book - What Book Condition?

[ener54]

I'm trying to determine what condition I should list my book as. It's signed by the author and has otherwise never been opened for any reason.

There isn't any kind of wear, just a light signature by the author. Can this book be called Brand New? Can it even be called Like New since technically it's "written in?"

It feels weird calling a brand new book, enhanced in value by an autograph, "Good," on par with a book missing the DJ, with writing and highlighting and damaged pages.

Thanks!

[ersatz_sobriquet]

http://www.ioba.org/pages/resources/book-terminology/

[duchess-at-speakeasy · Accepted solution]

An author's signature is not considered a flaw or damage or "written in." I would label the book's condition "Like New" and simply emphasize that the book is signed.

~~C~~

[ener54]

Yeah, but we all know eBay doesn't adhere to any reasonable or broad condition standards. Which then opens you up to liability when the buyer finds fault in your incongruous condition definition relative to eBay's.

[nowthatsjustducky]

Well, unless one either has a certificate of authenticity or is trained and skilled in handwriting analysis, a signature in a book is nothing more than writing in it to anyone other than the original owner.  Just because a book has a signature that matches the author's name does not always mean that the author actually did the signing.

I know, probably a rare event, but still...

[ymeagainlord]

And getting a COA isn't really worth the price for most signed items.