Two listings of the same woodworking book are in front of you, and for woodworking furniture plans the condition can matter as much as the content. Both are Trade Paperbacks by Gustav Stickley from the Dover Crafts: Woodworking Series, but one is graded Good and the other Acceptable. The Good copy is listed at USD 5.19; the Acceptable copy is listed at USD 5.51, a 32-cent spread. Here is how to choose between them.
Quick Verdict
For most shoppers, the Good-condition copy is the clear pick. It carries the stronger condition statement: all pages intact and the book fully readable, with only normal signs of use expected. The Acceptable copy's notes mention possible liquid damage, filled-in answers, and missing components. Choosing the Acceptable copy only makes sense if you already have plans to use it as a roughed-up workshop spare.
Comparison at a Glance
| Attribute | Good-condition listing | Acceptable-condition listing |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 5.19 | USD 5.51 |
| Condition | Good | Acceptable |
| Author | Gustav Stickley | Gustav Stickley |
| Book series | Dover Crafts: Woodworking Ser. | Dover Crafts: Woodworking Ser. |
| Book title | Making Authentic Craftsman Furniture : Instructions and Plans for 62 Projects | Making Authentic Craftsman Furniture : Instructions and Plans for 62 Projects |
| Format | Trade Paperback | Trade Paperback |
| Genre | Crafts & Hobbies | Crafts & Hobbies |
| Features | Reprint | Reprint |
Where Each Listing Wins
Between these two, the Good-condition listing wins on condition, and the Acceptable listing does not gain any content advantage. The two listings cover the same book title and the same project plans, so the content decision cancels out. The Acceptable listing may still be worth it as a second copy for messy jobs, but only if the potential damage and markings don't bother you. If you only need one copy, the Good listing removes most of the guesswork. If you need a second reference for the shop and can tolerate a few battle scars, the Acceptable listing stays in contention.
Product Notes
Making Authentic Craftsman Furniture - Good Condition
This Good-condition copy is the safer choice if you want a readable reference. The description allows for normal signs of use-light writing, highlighting, or library markings-but says all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. The limitation is that Good is not a pristine grade, so a previous owner's marks are possible. If you need a complete, usable source for Craftsman furniture plans, this listing is the strongest option.
Making Authentic Craftsman Furniture - Acceptable Condition
This Acceptable-condition copy is best treated as a workshop spare. The listing's condition note mentions possible liquid damage, filled-in answers, and missing components such as CDs or access codes, which is a real caution for a book. The reason to consider it anyway is that the book title and project plans are the same as the Good copy. Choose it only if you want a second copy and won't mind a marked or possibly damaged book. For a clean reading copy, the risk is harder to justify.
Final Choice by Use Case
The right call usually comes down to expectation. The Good-condition copy gives you the best chance of a clean read through all the plans. The Acceptable copy is the fallback for someone who just wants the same content without caring about marks. Unless you have a reason to accept the higher-risk condition, the Good copy is the one to pick.
