What raw condition means vs a slab

Raw vs a slab

Raw means unrestored and unencapsulated. The book is still a book: you can open it, press it, mis-handle it, or put it in a bag. A slab is a sealed holder. A slab grade is a third party’s opinion of that copy at the moment it was sealed. This site does not slab books, does not predict a future holder grade, and does not name grading companies outside its factual comparison page. A raw estimate is a read of the copy in your photos, today.

People buy and sell raw copies every day. A raw number is useful for deciding whether to list, keep, press, or spend more. It is not a selling certificate. Two graders can still disagree. Conservative policy here is simple: when the book sits between two rungs, assign the lower one. When photos are thin, assume the more serious plausible reading.

The scale this site uses

Only these numeric grades are used: 10.0, 9.9, 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9.0, 8.5, 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.5, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.8, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5. There is no 9.7, 9.5, or 8.8 on this ladder. Color-breaking defects weigh more than non-breaking ones. Page quality is a hard ceiling. Manufacturing defects are treated more leniently than handling — except at the top grades.

Notes can tell the grader to ignore an artist signature or intentional writing. They cannot ask for a kinder paper color than the interior shot shows. Completeness is fundamental: missing story pages or a missing cover is a severe downgrade regardless of gloss.

What you get for 50¢

Each estimate costs 50¢ (1 credit). Failed grades are refunded. The first 500 sign ups get 1 free grade. The report is a designation, short defect bullets, optional press notes, and the same disclaimer every time: AI estimate for raw condition only — not a professional certification. If you need a sealed holder, that is a different service, from someone else, after you decide the copy is worth the fee.