Condition is usually very important in determining the value of a collectable item. Of course the rarity of some items have a tendency to sometimes out way the overall condition, but usually condition is one of the main factors. Since some items can not be physically inspected collectors depend on the seller to accurately describe an item they may be interested in purchasing. Offered below is a very general Rating Guideline for rating Hartland's. Please note that am a just another collector like most of our members and visitors and in no way claim to be an expert in the field of rating Hartland's or especially in writing guidelines. Members listing items on this site are not required to use this or any other guideline. They are just asked to describe their items as accurately and honestly as possible. I usually like to describe each piece included in a set and sometimes even add a plus or minus to a particular rating. There is an old saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so ask questions if you are unclear about the condition of an item. Trade safe and Happy Collecting! ............... Charles

Gem Mint (C11) - A set with all of the original parts in pristine condition. This set would have never been handled or opened. If originally boxed, the box would also be in pristine condition and would include all of the original packing material, instructions and literature/tag that was originally issued with the set. A boxed set may have been carefully opened one time to confirm the contents and carefully repacked and safely stored. It probably should be stated if the box has ever been opened. A very rare find!

Mint (C10) - A set/piece that is in near untouched condition. This piece may have been displayed, but all colors should be bright and it should be in superb condition. If it shows any play wear then it is not Mint. A fairly rare find. 

Near Mint (C9) - Just under Mint and maybe showing a few light handling marks under close inspection. The colors should still be nice and bright and there would be no really noticeable flaws. A very nice set/piece!

Excellent (C8) - A set/piece that you would probably start seeing some of the normal handling marks from assembling the pieces and maybe some marks where pieces have bumped together. Most of these marks may be carefully removed without harming the original finish. These pieces would have been mostly just displayed. There should be no chips, cracks or separations and the colors should still be nice. You might break this category down into (C8+) and (C8-). The lower end of this category would still display very nicely, but the colors may not be as bright/glossy and maybe a few small flaws may be seen under close inspection. Still no chips, crack, or major flaws. Also a very nice set/piece for display!

Good + (C7) -  Flaws start to become more noticeable, but not really bad. There may be some high point rubs, light scratches, maybe a little flat spot on the nose, and the finish/colors maybe a little duller. There would be no broken or missing parts such as a missing fingers or ear tips on the horses. This set/piece shows slight play wear, but still a very displayable set/piece.

Good (C6) - Flaws start to become even more noticeable. Duller colors, blunted ear tips on the horses, and more missing paint. Still nothing broken. Still displayable, but may show a good deal of play wear. May be considered for repair/repaint.

Fine + (C5) - At this point sets/pieces really start to show heavy play wear. Large rubs, dull or faded colors, small chips and more and deeper scratches. One or both stirrups may be missing from the saddle. Still displayable if you like the real played with look. May be considered for repair/repaint.

Fine (C4) - Lots of very noticeable flaws. Chips, cracks, seam splits and a lot of missing paint. Probable candidates for repair/repaint.

Fair (C3) -  These pieces would need a good deal of repair to get them back to a collectable level. Chips, cracks, large seam splits and a lot of missing paint.

Poor + (C2) - These pieces would need very serious repair which would probably not be feasible on more common pieces. Lots of serious flaws with missing parts such as hands, feet, tails, ears, ect.

Poor (C1) - Probably only useful as scrap material for doing repairs on other pieces.