The following Condition and Grading Standards apply
to ALL toy train and related accessory items. The items
that are being evaluated may or may not include the original box. Boxes
and other paper are subject to a separate set of grading and condition
standards. Standards for all toy train related accessory items apply to
the visual appearance of the item and do not consider the
operating functionality of the equipment.
The Standards have been expanded with the introduction
of a separate designation for restored/refinished items.
Restored/refinished items must continue to be marked as
such using the pressure sensitive labels available fom the TCA. The
Association provides these labels through members of the Standards
Committee or the National Business Office.
Condition and Grading Standards are subjective, at
best, and are intended to act as a guide. It is important and logical
that wishful thinking not be allowed to influence the choice of grade
Condition - Grade
Description
C-10
Mint - Brand Newall original, unused and unblemished.
C-9
Factory New - Brand New
all original, unused, may evidence factory rubs and the slightest
evidence of handling, shipping and having been test run at the
factory.
C-8
Like New - Complete all original,
no rust, no missing parts, may show effects of being on display
and/or age, may have been run.
C-7
Excellent - all original
minute scratches and paint nicks, no rust and no missing parts. No
distortion of component parts.
C-6
Very Good - Minor scratches
and paint nicks, minor spots of surface rust, free of dents. May
have minor parts replaced.
C-5
Good - Sign of play wear
with scratches and minor paint loss. Small dents, minor surface
rust. Evidence of heavy use.
C-4
Fair - Scratched,
moderate paint loss, dented missing parts, surface rust. Evidence of
heavy use.
C-3
Poor - Requires major body repair.
Heavily scratched, major rust and missing parts. Restoration
candidate.
C-2
Restoration required.
C-1
Junk, parts value only.
Train Collectors
Association
Paper & Box Grading
Standards
Grades for grading paper (such as Catalogs,
Instruction Sheets) and Boxes:
Grade
Description
P-10
Individual pages/box flaps appear to have been
never opened. All edges are crisp and the item is free of all flaws.
Original folds are crisp with no signs of damage. No rusty staples,
creases, tears, fading, and/or wear marks are present. The item is
totally and absolutely "unflawed"!
Note: Items that have printing that
is offset, smeared, double images, odd cut pages, and/or etc. are
considered errors and shall be noted as such.
Paper:
Item may have been touched by human hands since
leaving original factory.
Boxes:
Original contents are contained within, and if
applicable, sealed box. All applicable sealing tape, plastic wrap,
and/or staples are present and undisturbed.
P-9
Same as P-10 with the following exceptions or
additions. Item may have store or dealer stamp appropriately
applied.
Paper:
Item has been touched by human hands since
leaving original factory. Individual pages have been opened.
Original paper folds are crisp with no signs of damage if folded by
the factory; i.e. still unfolded.
Boxes:
Box may have a hand-written or affixed price tag
indicating the "original price" of the box's contents.
P-8
Same as P-9 with the following exception or
additions:
Paper:
Notations from an auction, dealer, club member on
the cover or interior page may be present.
Boxes:
Original contents of box may be missing; i.e. box
has been opened. The "This Side Up" part of the box has the original
sealing tape carefully and neatly cut and/or staples may have been
carefully removed to expose the contents. Box is complete with all
inner liners and/or flaps.
P-7
Same as P-8 with the following exceptions and/or
additions. Item shows signs of moderate usage and is 100% intact.
Original paper folds show minute signs of damage. Item may have
rusty staples which have not affected the paper.
Paper:
There may be some evidence of bending and folding
or unfolding if original factory folded. All pages must be present.
Boxes:
Box shows moderate signs of being opened and
closed.
P-6
Same as P-7 with the following exceptions or
additions. Item shows signs of usage and is 100% intact. Edges are
minutely damaged. Original paper folds show signs of damage. All
printing material is legible, however, the item may have some wear
marks such as weathering, slight fading, unoriginal pencil or ink
marks, and/or a foreign substance on the item such as rust, grease,
oil, and/or etc. which minutely extends onto the printed material or
is confined to the unprinted areas of the item.
Paper:
Page(s) may show additional (unoriginal) fold(s)
or "dog-eared" page(s). Page(s) may have tears. Such tears greated
than two inches may be closed with archival tape.
Boxes:
All liners and/or flaps are present and intact,
however, inner flaps may require some strengthening with the use of
archival tape. The box can still safely store its original contents.
NOTE:
Any paper or box item
repaired with a non-archival Scotch® or equivalent tape can be
graded no higher than P-5.
P-5
Same as P-6 with the following exceptions and/or
additions. Item shows high signs of usage. Edges may be damaged.
Original folds are heavily damaged. All existing printed material is
legible; however, the item is heavily worn with severe wear marks
extending well onto the original printed material and may have
extensive color fading. No water damage or signs of paper/cardboard
deterioration is evident.
Paper:
Page(s) may be missing or loose and shall be so
noted. The item may still be useable as reference material.
Boxes:
All exterior flaps are present; however, they may
require some mending or reattaching with transparent tape. Box
liners and/or inner flaps may be completely and/or partially
missing; however, inner flaps may be reattached with transparent
tape. Exercising caution, the box can still store its original
contents.
P-4
Same as P-5 with the following exceptions and/or
additions. Some or all of the existing printed matieral is
illegible.
Paper:
Item is so heavily damaged that it has little to
no use as reference material.
Boxes:
One or both of the exterior flaps are missing.
Box will no longer safely store its original contents.
RMDTCA STANDARDS BULLETIN #1
from John Pease, RMDTCA Standards 7/11/2004
The TCA Standards Committee is now chaired by Robert C. Robinson TCA 64-1098. The various TCA Division members
are listed in the current TCA Directory of Information manual. The current RMD members are John Pease and Ray Schalcosky.
"Heads up" -There are unmarked, super accurate reproduction boxes being produced by someone. The flaps of old boxes are being photographed and new boxes printed. Even faded numbers are/can be reproduced. As boxes are often as valuable as the contents and/or enhance the value of the sale it will become a major problem. The TCA Standards policy has always been, that when practicable, all reproductions must be marked if involved in TCA transactions or Train Meets.
The problem with "high tech" boxes is much like superb train restorations. If not marked as a "repaint" one must rely on his own experience or seek and opinion from an TCA Standards member. Once again, the neophyte is at risk of being taken.
The TCA position that all reproductions must be marked applies. Marking the box on the ends would solve the problem. However:
- One could tear off the end flap, but the box would then be damaged.
- It may be impracticable to require all manufactures to mark reproductions as sales are not exclusively to TCA
members. Remember Lionel, MTH and others have been producing reproductions that are not marked for some time.
- TCA may not have a legal position to prohibit manufacturers from selling unmarked reproductions to TCA members.
- The question has always been is the individual attempting to defraud?
- TCA members who are honest have had no objections to compliance with TCA Standards.
The TCA Standards Committee will continue to monitor this problem and attempt to find an equitable solution. In the meantime - :
BUYER BEWARE".
