Grading of Records, (78s)

Excerpt from: American Premium RECORD GUIDE 1900 - 1965 - By Les Docks

Grading of Records:

NEW (N): - Apparently unplayed and showing no signs of wear.

EXCELLENT (E): - Showing only slight wear. Playing surfaces retain much of their original shine. Surface noise is minimal.

VERY GOOD (V): - Somewhat more worn than an excellent record, slight-grayness appearing in the groves, especially in louder passages. Still a fairly clean and acceptable copy. Surface and extraneous noise is noticeable, but does not overwhelm the music.

GOOD (G): - A misnomer. A "good" record is really not so good. It shows considerable wear and usage, grayness in the grooves, random mars and light abrasions from a sleeveless existence. Surface noise is prominent enough to impair enjoyment of the music.

FAIR (F): - and - POOR (P): - Indicate the lowest grades of the condition code. Since only the rarest records would be saleable in these grades, they appear infrequently.