Condition Guides

Our condition grades are designed to give you a clear, consistent indication of an item’s overall condition. Because signs of wear vary depending on the type of item, we use category-specific guidance for ceramics and decorative objects, vinyl records, books, vintage fashion and retro tech.

The individual product listing always takes priority, so please read the full description and view all photographs carefully before purchasing.

Most of our stock is vintage, pre-owned or antique, so some signs of age and previous use are normal. Our condition grades are intended as a quick guide to the overall state of an item.

We also describe any notable chips, cracks, repairs, losses, staining, surface wear or other issues in the individual product listing. Please read the full description and view all photographs before purchasing.

Excellent

An exceptionally well-preserved item with little or no noticeable wear.

There may be very minor signs of age or handling, but no significant chips, cracks, repairs, losses or damage. Any imperfections are minimal and do not affect the appearance or use of the piece.

Very Good

A well-preserved item showing only light signs of age or previous use.

There may be minor surface marks, light wear, small manufacturing imperfections or other age-related signs, but no major damage. Small flaws may be present and will be noted in the product description.

Good

A sound and presentable item with visible signs of age and use.

This may include surface wear, scratches, staining, crazing, small chips, minor losses, tarnishing or other noticeable imperfections. The item remains suitable for use or display unless otherwise stated.

Any significant flaws will be described and photographed.

Fair

An item with clear wear, damage or deterioration, but which still retains decorative, functional or collectable interest.

This may include larger chips, cracks, repairs, losses, heavy wear, staining, fading, corrosion or other obvious faults. The item may have reduced functionality or may be best suited to display.

All known significant issues will be highlighted in the listing.

Project / Salvage Condition

An item requiring repair, restoration, repurposing or use for parts.

It may have substantial damage, missing components, major cracks, breaks, heavy deterioration or other faults that prevent normal use.

These items are sold primarily for restoration, creative projects, display, spares or salvage, and the listing will describe their known condition as clearly as possible.

Vinyl is graded by considering both the record itself and, where applicable, the sleeve or cover. We describe notable faults separately and may give different grades for the vinyl and sleeve.

Where relevant, we broadly follow established record-collecting conventions, but use plain-language HoFT grades for clarity.

Excellent

A very well-preserved record showing little or no visible wear.

Playback should be clean, with minimal surface noise. The sleeve should be crisp and well-kept, with only very minor signs of handling.

Very Good

A well-kept record with light signs of previous use.

There may be minor surface marks or light background noise during quieter passages, but playback remains enjoyable. Sleeves may show light edge wear, small creases or minor handling marks.

Good

A playable record with visible signs of use.

There may be noticeable surface marks, crackle, light scratches or occasional background noise, but the record should play through unless otherwise stated. Sleeves may show rubbing, creasing, edge wear, small splits or writing.

Fair

A heavily used record with significant wear.

Playback may include substantial crackle, repeated noise, scratches or other audible faults. Sleeves may be heavily worn, split, stained, torn or incomplete.

Suitable mainly for collection-filling, display or where the title is uncommon.

Project / Salvage Condition

A record or sleeve with major faults.

The record may be badly scratched, warped, cracked, unplayable or suitable only for display or craft use. Sleeves may be severely damaged or incomplete.

All known faults will be clearly described.

Please Note

Records are visually inspected unless the listing specifically states that they have been play-tested.

Pressing details, catalogue numbers, inserts, labels and sleeve variations will be described where relevant.

Vintage and second-hand books often show signs of handling, storage and age. Our grading considers the binding, pages, cover or dust jacket, completeness and overall presentation.

Excellent

An exceptionally well-preserved copy with very little evidence of use.

Pages are clean and securely bound, with minimal wear to the cover or dust jacket. There should be no significant writing, tears, staining or damage.

Very Good

A well-kept copy showing light signs of age or handling.

There may be minor edge wear, light creasing, mild tanning, small marks or a neat previous-owner inscription. The binding remains sound and the book is complete unless otherwise stated.

Good

A complete, readable copy with visible signs of age and use.

This may include cover wear, creases, foxing, tanning, small tears, inscriptions, minor staining or a loosened binding. Dust jackets may have chips or small losses.

Any notable faults will be described.

Fair

A heavily used or worn copy that remains readable or collectable.

There may be loose pages, significant staining, heavy foxing, tears, damaged bindings, larger losses to dust jackets or other obvious faults.

The listing will state if anything is missing or affects usability.

Project / Salvage Condition

A book or printed item with substantial damage or incompleteness.

This may include missing pages or covers, detached sections, severe staining, water damage, broken bindings or other major faults.

These items may still be useful for restoration, reference, display, illustration, ephemera or creative projects.

Please Note

Age-related tanning, foxing and minor shelf wear are common in older books and do not automatically indicate poor condition.

Where edition, printing, dust jacket, inscriptions or completeness are important, these will be described separately.

Vintage clothing and textiles are graded according to their age, wearability, fabric condition and overall appearance. Small signs of previous use are normal and often form part of the character of an older garment.

Excellent

An exceptionally well-preserved garment or textile with little or no visible wear.

Fabric, seams, fastenings and trims remain in excellent condition, with no significant stains, holes, repairs or damage.

Very Good

A well-preserved piece with light signs of previous wear.

There may be minor marks, gentle fading, small pulls, light fabric wear or discreet repairs, but nothing that significantly affects appearance or wearability.

Good

A wearable or usable piece showing noticeable signs of age and use.

This may include fading, small stains, minor holes, loose stitching, wear to cuffs or hems, missing or replaced buttons, or previous repairs.

All significant issues will be described and photographed.

Fair

A piece with obvious wear or damage, but which still has decorative, wearable or collectable value.

There may be larger stains, tears, holes, significant fading, weakened fabric, damaged fastenings or extensive repairs.

Wearability may be limited and will be stated where relevant.

Project / Salvage Condition

A garment or textile requiring repair, restoration or repurposing.

It may have extensive damage, missing components, severe staining, fragile fabric or other faults that prevent normal wear or use.

These pieces may still be suitable for costume, study, repair, fabric salvage or creative projects.

Please Note

Vintage sizing can differ significantly from modern sizing. Where possible, we provide actual garment measurements rather than relying solely on the labelled size.

Natural fabric variation, previous alterations and period repairs will be noted where relevant.

Vintage electronics are graded according to both their cosmetic condition and, where possible, their working status. Cosmetic grade and functionality are not always the same, so we describe both separately.

Excellent

An exceptionally well-preserved item with minimal cosmetic wear.

Where stated as tested, the item functions correctly during our basic checks. Controls, casing and visible components are clean and well-kept.

Very Good

A well-preserved item showing light signs of age and previous use.

There may be minor scuffs, scratches or handling marks. Where tested, the item performs as described, though age-related characteristics may still be present.

Good

An item with visible cosmetic wear but which remains presentable.

This may include scratches, marks, fading, worn labels, minor corrosion or other signs of use. Functionality will be stated clearly in the individual listing.

Fair

An item with significant cosmetic wear, faults or incomplete functionality.

It may have cracked or damaged casing, heavy wear, missing accessories, intermittent operation or known defects.

Suitable for display, collection or limited use depending on the item.

Project / Salvage Condition

An item sold for repair, restoration, parts or display.

It may be non-working, untested, incomplete, damaged or missing important components.

No assumption should be made that a Project / Salvage item is suitable for normal use unless specifically stated.

Testing & Electrical Safety

Any testing carried out by HoFT is described in the individual listing and should be regarded as a basic functional check rather than a full technical inspection.

Vintage electrical items may require servicing, inspection or replacement of age-sensitive components before regular use. Buyers should follow appropriate electrical-safety precautions.