Grading Vintage View-Master Reels and Packets: As with all vintage collectibles, the quality of its condition determines both its value and desirability. This is our attempt to standardize the categories..
View-Master reels and packets can be categorized broadly into three groups: Collector Grade Economy Grade Bargain Grade Rummage Grade
COLLECTOR GRADE:
COLLECTOR GRADEsinglereels and 3 reel packets, and their jackets, sleeves, and booklets share the qualities listed below:
sharp edges and corners on jackets, booklets, sleeves
no tears or rips
no soiling
no bubbling of reels
no violeting, nor fungus of images
crisp and clean - some very minor age discoloration
Generally, to be Collector Grade there can be no more than one very minor defect.
This will always be represented by the smallest number of items qualifying for this highest grade. Non Kodachrome Sets still qualify for this category if they meet the qualities above.
ECONOMY GRADE:
ECONOMY GRADEsinglereels and 3 reel packets, and their jackets, sleeves, and booklets share the qualities listed below:
light wrinkling at edges
light bumped corners
light age discoloration
minor general wear
light bubbling of reels
no violeting of nor fungus of images
light wear in top flap fold
Generally, to be Economy Grade there are two or three minor defects that barely keep the item from being considered Collector Grade. This will always be a larger group than the highest quality.
BARGAIN GRADE:
| BARGAIN GRADEsinglereels and 3 reel packets, and their jackets, sleeves, and booklets share the qualities listed below:
bumped corners
light tears or rips
heavy soiling
light bubbling of reels
light violeting and/or fungus on images
wear in top flap fold
overall discoloration
Bargain Grade is the broadest range in quality varying from one significant defect to many minor defects to many significant defects This will always be by far the largest group, understandably because vintage items were used and/or stored where harm and/or wear happened. The price will be 1/2 of the COLLECTOR GRADE.
RUMMAGE GRADESimilar to Bargain Grade but with many more defects and with substantially lower prices.
