I have a hardy boys book called the mystery of cabin island. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. But a first edition, first state is more desired and valuable among collectors, as a first edition usually is closest to the most original source. A first edition is the format a book took when it was first made available for. Publishers each have their own way of identifying the first edition or more correctly first printing of any book they produce. There is no one way to identify the first edition of a book. The following books will arm you with years of knowledge found nowhere else. There are many ways that publishers identify their books as a first edition.
These links will take you directly to search results for 1st edition copies copies for sale on the respective sites. Like many things in publishing, what denotes a first edition can be complex and. The list below provides ataglance information for firstedition identification by publisher. Scarce first edition of rands first novel, one of only 3000 copies printed, a wonderful presentation association copy, inscribed by the author to architect ely jacques kahn, for whom rand worked as an unpaid assistant in 1937, while researching the profession for the book that was to become the fountainhead. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the earliest version of the book to exist in the world.
A book can go through several print cycles, sometimes with edits that add in author notes or additional material, so the book in its original form during its initial release or first printing to the public is what is generally defined as a first edition by collectors and sellers. Another note here on the use of the term first edition. The first edition statement was occasionally left out in subsequent printings, but the presence of laterpublished titles within the book may help to identify it as a later edition. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the. The majority of booksellers and collectors want the true first edition the edition of the book that supersedes all other editions chronologically and sometimes detective work is required to identify the true first. Signed books by the author author signed books are a passion of the fan, reader and book collector. The introduction explains the background and the problems encountered when trying to identify first edition ladybird books. They began to use a number line to the bottom of the last page but often failed to remove the first edition statement from later printings. Print runs are the set number of copies of the book printed at one time.
Occasionally, they accidentally left the first edition statement on later printings. Also terms for grading and describing books free used book resource and dealer directory. This little book lists most publishers and uses a simplified code system based on the authors experience handling actual first editions. For example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 indicates a first. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. It is compact because of space limitations, and dealers of any size should consider one of the two books in the reference book section. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. If a book is a first edition it will carry the notice first publishedfirst published in great britian 19if it is a reprint or a second or subsequent edition the original notice will be followed by reprinted 19 or second edition 19 as appropriate. Rage by richard bachman stephen king identifying first edition points of issue. The letter on the left hand side determines the edition. Collectors use the term first edition as a short form of first printing of the first edition and that is how we will be using this term.
Identifying first edition hardy boys book the ebay community. Identify a first edition book guide to first editions millersmiles. Firstly, and most common publishers usually use a numeric system for identifying the edition of the book. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want to know which one is superior. Beginning in 1958, stated first published in great britain in year on first editions. Can anyone help me with identifying a whether my book is a first edition. Literature rare books and first editions bauman rare books. Paul, i think i may have a first edition copy of the original harry potter and the philosophers stone hardback, but all the numbers are confusing and im not sure ifits the real thing. First printing, first impression, and first published are other ways of publishers stating the first edition. The first edition rare books offers collectors the finest selection of important rare books from around the world. Bourne identity by robert ludlum, first edition abebooks. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing.
The changes in during the production of the first printing are called states, so you may see a book described as first edition, first state. Research and identify a first printing, first edition by publisher. Identify first editions books abookman, a book man, book. Expert tips to help you identify and collect first editions. Nov 08, 2012 the string of numbers can be descending, as it is here, ascending, or in totally random order. So, if the publisher prints 5,000 copies of a book, they all sell, and the publisher goes back to print more of the same version of the book. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. Adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. How to identify a first edition book microform imaging.
How to identify first editions book collecting guide. First edition criteria and points to identify harry potter. Use the latest edition of the goldmine record album price guide as a third reference. A book club edition is far less valuable than the true first u. Rare books how to recognize a modern first edition. In this example, the lowest number is 1, so i have a first edition, first printing. Seuss first edition books, providing detailed information on each book. For the second printing, the 1 is removed, so the 2 is the lowest number present. Since the modern library series was founded in 1917, it has always had a distinctive colophon, which may also be helpful in first edition identification. Buy first edition books for sale at auction invaluable. But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies.
Seuss books should also own a copy of first editions of dr. How to identify first editions and care for old books. Deluxe signed limited first edition, with 51 fullcolor mounted plates by rackham, number 5 of only 250 copies signed by rackham, one of the smallest limitations for a rackham title and the first book illustrated wholly by rackham to be issued in a limited edition riall. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. A first edition is a book that has been printed and distributed for the first time. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. To publishers, a first edition is the first version of a book before changes are made forewords added, afterwords added, typos corrected, whatever requires a new typeset. All our books are bubble wrapped and shipped in a sturdy box with delivery confirmation. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. A number 3 would indicate this first edition 3 4 5 6 7 8. First edition books are sought after items for any collector, but how do you identify a first edition book. There are several methods you can use to determine the edition of a book, but we will concentrate on the modern first edition, the usual methods of identification are. Im going to use some books from around my house to illustrate.
Generally speaking, if the 1 is present, the book is a first edition first edition, first printing. The first edition refers to a book s first printing run. How to easily identify a modern first edition book youtube. In the case of titles published before 1900, the key to firstedition identification is often the date on the title page. This book, i feel, is even more useful as a volume you own and consult often. The numeral 1 will be removed for a second printing. Use our guide to learn how to identify first editions from a variety of publishers. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. That indicates that the copy they are offering is the earliest example of that commercial production. Within the hobby, this book is considered the definitive guide to correctly identifying dr. The printing year 1929 boards are red, last page has an advertisment for. Browse through our inventory or contact us to discuss your rare book collection.
The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list click on the book s title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. The vast majority of first editions published before 1900 had the year of publication on the title page this is true for fiction and nonfiction titles. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition. How to identify and collect american first editions. Seuss books 2002, by helen younger, marc younger, and dan hirsch. An extremely useful book for book collectors or sellers giving the identification metods of publishers to identify first editions of their books covering from the late 20s to 2000. An auction of books and artworks to benefit pen american center featuring many contemporary first edition titles.
The golden books of the last few years only have the first edition marked with an a or first printing on the title page. The sequence of the numbers varies between publishers but the basic principal remains the same apart from a few exceptions a first issue edition impression requires the presence of the number 1. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set. A guide book hardcover january 1, 1976 by jack tannen author visit amazons jack tannen page. The presence of a date on the title page alone may identify books published prior to the mid1800s as first editions. How to identify and collect american first editions by jack tannen. First edition copies state first edition on the page and the number sequence will be 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3.
How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. Most collectors prize the first edition, first printing because it was the way the book first appeared. There are book club editions that have the same full number line as the true first u. Can a first edition of a book be identified by its isbn. If you buy, sell or collect books, these should be your first. Oxford university press until the late 1980s, there was no first edition statement, however, later printings were noted. However, if there are other editions listed, your book will be the most recent one. First edition identification by publisher used books and. First edition identification by publisher ag in the case of titles published before 1900, the key to first edition identification is often the date on the title page. View photos first scribner hardcover edition september 20 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on cp. Struggling to indentify the use for the big rule book forum.
We frequently get emails from people asking about first printings and first editions of books. The confusion around first editions is illustrated by 1984 by george orwell. The definition of a first edition depends on who you are talking to. In general, book club editions are more cheaply printed than the trade editions. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog. Where a trade edition may have embossed or decorative elements on its cover and be printed on a better quality paper, a book club edition. Lately, first edition has become widely accepted tto mean first edition, first printing when buying or selling books although, technically speaking, it shouldnt be. About first edition books if the initial print run known as the first printing or first impression sells out and the publisher decides to produce a subsequent printing with the same typeset, books from that. Occasionally a number line will be accompanied by a date line. If no changes are made to the book, such as a new chapter, a new preface by the author, etc. To a publisher, all printings within an edition are the first edition. These 24 page books can also have and a by the roman numeral year with all other editions not marked. Though not common, coming across this exception can make your day. Remember that even if the lowest number is 2, 3, or whatever, if the publisher is still.
In publishing terms, an edition is technically all copies of a book that were printed from the same setting. For more detailed information on identifying first editions by a wide range of publishers, we recommend the 1995 edition of edward n. You can find most any lp in this book, from the the most popular pop records of the 50s and 60s to the most obscure artrock records of the late 70s. All of our first edition books are hand signed by the author without inscription unless otherwise noted. Nov 03, 2003 first, some bces are in fact the first appearance sometimes the only appearance of a title in print that is, the actual first edition, first printing, first younameit. Explore this starters reference guide to help weave through the determining variables and track down modern first edition books. First edition identification by publisher ag book collecting tips. First edition, first issue of carles most recognizable work with the complete number line 15 on the page and a3450 on the rear board in a first issue dust jacket with two paragraphs on the front flap, photograph of carle with his two children to the rear flap with blurb mentioning only his first book, 1,2,3 to the zoo, the. First scribner hardcover edition november 2011 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on cp. How to identify a first edition book justcollecting. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman rare. If there are no other editions listed, the book you have is the first edition.
Stephen king novels first edition identification guide. Many modern first editions indicate they are later printings by dropping one of the numbers in a number sequence on the page. To tell the edition of a book, look at the bottom of the page. Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. Since 1925, have stated first modern library edition on the page of the first edition only haphazardly prior to 1925. It is compact because of space limitations, and dealers of any size should consider one of the two books in the reference book. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book youtube. To identify what printing you have, look for the lowest number in the string. But they lack the embossed diamond pattern on the book boards. Pocket guide to the identification of first editions sixth edition bill mcbride. There is a problem with many in being able to correctly identify a true first edition. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing. Sometimes publishers include the words first edition next to the number line, even if the book was on its third printing, according abe books website.
The detachment and openmatchedwhatever rules are a read once, could make better rules myself sort of situation. Identifying first edition points of issue bookpoi a guide. The first edition continues until the book is changed. Publishers, bibliographers, researchers and librarians use the term first edition to mean a book reprinted without changes.
One of the most scarce and desirable rackham titles. There is no better way to connect with the story and the author than by owning a book signed by an author. Each publisher has a different method of designating firsts and they change it regularly, too. General guidelines for identifying a first edition. I cant tell whether these people are reading a first printing or a first edition from the state library of victoria. In 1922, they began stating first edition as well, but also used the above coding system until 1949.
The first edition rare books rare books by notable people. This is the first edition of 40k where i felt like the brb was really an utter waste of money, so i sold mine and just use the rules pamphlet. The best site on the net for info on rare stephen king books. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the earliest version of the book to exist in. Books to identify first editions and help the book seller in the book collecting world, there are exceptions to the exceptions, and many publishers indicated first edition in their own unique way.
Identifying book club editions one girl collecting. Use our guide to learn how to identify first editions. Ladybird books how to identify first editions ladybird. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. The first edition was published in 2015 by random house. The idea is to get the book as it appeared in the bookstores the day it was released, says john larson, specialist in 19th and 20thcentury literature at swann auction galleries. How to identify original pressings of lp records our pastimes. Paul helps a reader identify a first edition book to enable her to be sure she has struck gold. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. No remainder mark, no previous owner markings or inscriptions, not price clipped, not a book club edition, not an exlib. But publishers are the only ones who use the term that way. A general rule is that if the number 1 is listed, the book is a first edition.
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