Product Key
There can be variations of the same label; some labels share the same title and other similarities. Or they may be from different packinghouses or are different types of products or variations of the same product, or from a different printer with a different color of ink and more, but they share the same title. My point is that many similar labels can interest the collector more than the interior decorator, so we classify all the differences in our product database. The orange label, SUNFLOWER (O) #7, shown below, is an example of how we categorize differences. We have cataloged ten variants of the SUNFLOWER (O) as of this writing. When you place an order, all SKU information (including the product id and grading identifier) will be on your order form just as it is displayed on this website.
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Variety Abbreviations
(A) Apple, (AA) Apple Australia, (AB) Apple Barrel, (AC) Apple Canada, (AD) Advertisement, (AL) Apple Lug, (AP) Asparagus, (AV) Avocado, (AZ) Arizona, (BB) Bargain Basement, (BE) Berry, (BK) Book, (BR) Broom, (C) Cranberry, (CA) Crate Art, (CFA) Citrus Fruit Australia, (CG) Cigar, (CH) Cherry, (CL) Cloth, (CN) Can, (CP) Calendar Print, (CR) Calendar, (F) Florida, (FS) Florida Strip, (G) Grape, (GF) Grapefruit, (GL) Grapefruit Lug, (L) Lemon, (LL) Lemon Lug, (M) Melon, (MF) Misc Fruit, (NS) No Stock, (NY) NY Grape, (O) Orange, (OL) Orange Lug, (OS) Orange Spain, (P) Pear, (PA) Pear Australia, (PC) Pear Canada, (PCD) Post Card, (PD) Product, (PE) Peach, (PFC) Printers File Copy, (PL) Pear Lug, (PM) Plum, (SB) Strawberry, (SF) Seed Flower, (SH) Seed Herb, (SM) Seed Melon, (SV) Seed Vegetable, (T) Tomato, (TI) Tissue, (TO) Tobacco, (TS) Texas Strip, (TX) Texas, (V) Vegetable, (Y) Yam
Grading Scale
Grading is Subjective when Items are approaching 75 to 100 years old
The condition of an item’s paper, its age, rarity and printing type (i.e., stone lithography, chromo lithography, seed packet envelope, etc.) are what we consider when grading. Items are graded twice prior to inventory inclusion. Normal printing flaws are not considered, but may be noted. If you are seeking labels in Mint to Mint-Near condition only, kindly refrain from purchasing any items graded lower. This will help us save time and avoid the expenses associated with potential returns, which may not be processed regardless.
| Grade Name | SKU Suffix | % of Original | Letter Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | -M | 95-100% | A | The item may display up to 5% of faults characterized by, but not limited to, normal signs of paper aging and handling dents. More tolerance is given for rare labels. |
| Mint-Near | -MN | 90-95% | B+ | The item may display up to 10% of faults characterized by, but not limited to, the grading descriptions of mint and near mint. |
| Near Mint | -NM | 80-90% | B | The item may display up to 20% of faults characterized by but not limited to all grading descriptions from above this grade and printer flaws, moisture wear, edge wear, border tears, and paper scuffs. |
| NM-Good | -NG | 70-80% | C+ | The item may display up to 30% of faults characterized by but not limited to the grading descriptions of near mint and good. |
| Good | -G | 60-70% | C | Item may display up to 40% of faults characterized by, but not limited to all grading descriptions from above this grade and folds, rippling, staining, and missing paper. |
| Good-As Is | -GA | 50-60% | D | The item may display up to 50% of faults characterized by but not limited to the grading descriptions of good and as is. |
| As-Is | -AS | < 50 | < D | The item may display 51% or more of faults characterized by, but not limited to, all grading descriptions from above this grade. Possibly a rare item that would interest a collector as a spacer, for restoration, or for decorative use in a decoupage project. |
| Excellent | -EX | 80-100% | A to B | The item may display from 5% to 20% of faults characterized by, but not limited to, normal signs of paper aging and handling dents. More tolerance is given for rare labels. This grading term is for our eBay auctions. Details will be provided when conditions are deemed necessary. |