EXCELLENT - A highly desirable piece for a collection or for a gift. Near-perfect and free of major defects, but just not as crisp as a new piece. No tears, no stains, corners must be mostly sharp, only the slightest handling wear is allowed. An original store stamp is allowed, but no writing anywhere. Can have a small corner crease or two, but must be light and barely discernible. Must be complete and readable.

VERY GOOD - Collectible and appropriate for framing or gift-giving. A very clean piece with only small defects. Edges and corners can show some light wear but no edge tears greater than 1/2 inch anywhere. Handling wear is allowed but must be light. One or two light creases are OK, only some light soiling. Stains and other damage are not allowed. Can have a store stamp, label or owner’s name written on cover, some light pencil notations are allowed inside on the music, and a small piece or two of mending tape is allowed only if the repaired tear is 1/2 inch or less. Up to a 25% spine split is allowed, but only of the rest of the piece is VG or better. Must be complete and readable.

GOOD - The average used piece, still collectible and good for framing. Defects can include handling wear, edge and corner wear, light creases, tears up to 1”, a light water stain or two (but no serious damage), writing, a label, or a store stamp on the cover, or other acceptable minor defects. Can be mended inside with tape - no tape on front cover, allowed on back. Up to a 100% spine split is allowed in this grade only if the rest of the piece is still in near VG or better condition. Can be missing a small piece of an edge or corner, but no more than a 1/2” square or triangle. Must be complete and readable.

FAIR - Generally accepted as a lower-grade collectible or framing piece. More than average wear. Defects can include handling wear, edge and corner roughness, creases, writing, chipping, 100% spine split, tape on the cover or inside, water damage and/or stains, etc. Can be missing a small piece or two from edges or corners, but no more than 1”. Must still be complete and useable.

POOR - Reading copy or last-resort collectible. Music must be complete, but can be torn, ragged, mended, stained, stapled, etc. Must still be complete and readable.

COVER ONLY - It is not uncommon for older sheets to be missing insert sheets so that the music is not complete, and this must be noted in addition to the above grades. Cover only sheets are offered only because of any collectible value associated with the cover art or subject matter.