Calendar Rarity Scale
The rarity scale is a less-than-scientific attempt to give collectors an idea of the scarcity of each calendar. Parmastahir based it primarily upon the number of eBay auctions in which a calendar has appeared but adjusted by the availability at various on-line booksellers, the number that known in the hands of other collectors or collection (e.g. - Marquette University), and the number that were created (as for the various issues of the Tolkien societies) when able to determine same.
- - The rarest because of age, number issued, and/or condition (referring to those still mint in sealed mailers/envelopes or shrink-wrapped). Usually, less than five examples of it are known.
- - Scarce, not impossible to collect, but most are in the hands of collectors. Usually, less than 10 examples of it are known. Unless one appears on eBay (on average: less than once per year), you have to know someone who knows someone who has one (and is willing to part with it!)
- - May appear on eBay on average once or twice a year, or fifty or fewer were created.
- - May appear on eBay on average less than once per month, or 100 or fewer were created.
- - May appear on eBay on average one or more times each month, or 200 or fewer were created.
- - May appear on eBay on average less than once per week, or 1000 or fewer were created.
- - May appear on eBay on average one or more times per week, or more than 1000 of them were created.
- - Such ratings refer to calendars from current or immediately previous year. You can typically find them "everywhere" today. But who knows in ten years or more?
- - You will note letters in parentheses following most issues, referring to Parmastahir's personal collection. If a parenthesized letter does not appear, he does not have a copy of that issue in his collection. If a letter does appear, the code is:
- - Opened copy.
- - Mint (in unopened mailer or shrinkwrapped) or as new (if not originally issued in an mailer or shrinkwrapped.)
- - Signed by the illustrator.
- - Proof copy.
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