TANDEM ASSOCIATES - Plasticville Grading Standards

Grading of Marx Items & Accessories, Boxes, and Paper

We grade Marx Items and Accessories according to generally accepted standards established by the PCA (Plasticville Collectors Association) that are used by knowledgeable Plasticville collectors. They are listed here for your convenience.

Grading For Marx Items & Accessories

GRADE	CODE	DEFINITION
Mint	M	Brand new, absolutely all original and unused, still in sealed cellophane or plastic bag if applicable.
Excellent	E	Little sign of use, no nicks, scratches or blemishes; no faded lettering, no dust or dirt (factory glue, if noticeable, should be stated); no user-applied glue. (Excellent Plus "E+" = high excellent; Excellent Minus "E-" = low excellent)
Very Good	VG	Used, may have slightly faded lettering or some dust/dirt; no chips, cracks, or melt marks; no user-applied glue. (Very Good Plus "VG+" = high very good; Very Good Minus "VG-" = low very good)
Good	G	Well used, faded lettering, may have significant dust, dirt, or water soluble paint that can easily be cleaned off; may have small chips, cracks, or melt marks that are generally not noticed; may be glued.
Fair	F	Well used, faded lettering, may be painted with non-water soluble paints, may have spray-on snow that is not easily removed, may have larger chips, cracks, or melt marks that are very noticeable (on front or roof of building) may be glued.
Poor	P	Junk condition, large pieces missing or cracked, may be glued, possibly good for parts or kit bashing.

In addition to the general overall grade assigned to the item, we will also note any significant flaws to assist you in understanding the true condition of an item. That could include reproduction parts (if any), missing parts, cracks, deformation or melt spots to the plastic pieces, scratches, chips, stains, faded lettering, non-factory paint or other substances that mar the pieces.

Please ask questions -- we will answer your questions truthfully and completely. Above all, we want you to be satisfied with the purchase.

GRADE	CODE	DEFINITION
Mint	M	Absolutely unused, complete with inner lining (if appropriate), no fading, no wear of any kind, no water marks, no blemishes, no dents or crushes, no tape, no price marks (tag or written). Still factory sealed, if appropriate.
Excellent	E	Little sign of use, complete with inner lining (if appropriate), no fading, very minimal wear, no water marks, no blemishes, no dents, crushes, tape, or split corners, may have price marks.
Very Good	VG	Some signs of fading or wear (rubbing), may be missing inner liner. May have tape on the interior only. May have very minimal dent or crush. No water marks, no split corners. Price marks intact (not torn off or erased). All flaps still present. No warpage. May have very small tears near ends or on corners.
Good	G	Significant signs of wear, fading or rubbing. May be missing inner liner. May have some dents or crushes. May have split corners. One flap may be missing. May have minor water marks but little or no warpage. May have exterior tape in reasonable condition. May have small tears.
Fair	F	Significant signs of wear, fading, or rubbing. Missing inner liner. Dented or crushed. May have split corners. May have more than one flap missing. Water marks and warpage may be present. May have significant exterior tape. May have other markings or punctures. May have large tears, mildew, or discoloration.
Poor	P	Not complete, missing flaps, top, bottom, or sides. Heavy mildew or discoloration. May have large tears or significant warpage. Possibly good for information.

In addition to the general overall grade assigned to the box, we will also note significant flaws, if any, to help you understand the true condition of each box. That could include separations, tape, tape residue, glue residue, rips, tears, holes, creases, water & oil stains, rust and other discolorations, fading, missing flaps, missing panels, missing set insert boxes, insect nibblings, writing, foreign labels, foreign substances, general dirt, alterations, peeling, and distorted sides.

Note: no insert, or original wrapping paper is included unless stated. Please ask questions -- we will describe everything thoroughly. Your satisfaction is our goal.

GRADE	CODE	DEFINITION
Mint	M	Human hands have touched item since leaving original factory. Individual pages are assumed to have never been opened. All edges are crisp and paper is free of all flaws. Original paper folds are crisp with no signs of damage. No rusty staples.
Excellent	E	Human hands have touched item since leaving original factory. Pages have been opened. All edges are crisp and paper is free of all flaws. Original paper folds are crisp with no signs of damage. No rusty staples, creases, tears, or other blemishes. May have store or dealer stamp appropriately applied (in area designated for stamps).
Very Good	VG	Item shows moderate signs of usage. Complete. No creases, tears, water marks, or other damage. Very few, neat interior markings may be present. No tape.
Good	G	Item shows significant signs of use. Complete. May have unoriginal folds (ex. lengthwise) or "dog-eared" pages. May have very small tears. Staples may be rusty. May have several markings on the interior. May have some tape. Still good for reference.
Fair	F	Item shows significant signs of use. Pages may be loose or missing. Edges may be damaged. May have several markings on the interior. May have larger tears, folds, or dog-eared pages. May have signs of dirt, oil, or water damage. May have a lot of tape.
Poor	P	Pages missing or loose. Heavily damaged. Some or all of printed material is illegible. May have extensive use of tape.