Apr 08, 20 the convention for identifying first editions was maintained and was also adopted for random house business books. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions details the methods over 4,600 different publishers use to identify their first editions. Jan 29, 2020 a very basic description of first edition, according to, would be the first appearance of a work in question. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. Use our guide to learn how to identify first editions from a variety of publishers. Identifying first edition books a very basic description of first edition, according to, would be the first appearance of a work in question. Many publishers will print the hardcover edition of a book and call that a first edition, then print the same text in paperback and call it a first edition as well. Here is a great guide compiled by bev vincent for identifying stephen king first editions. A guide to identification the spoon river press, 2319c west rohmann avenue, peoria, il 61604. Oct 30, 2019 nicolasklthank you for the information. There are many guides to identifying first edition books, including abebooks own, but there is sometimes no definitive answer. But determining whether or not a modern book published in the 19th or 20th century post the invention of the printing press is in fact a true first edition book, in its most original form, can be a confusing and timeconsuming process. Most serious collectors want the true first edition the first edition, first printing and sometimes detective work is required to identify which edition that is. First edition criteria and points to identify harry potter.
I have a couple bces that i bought really cheap, just so i had them to read. 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. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. When the first edition of a book has a few typos or other small errors called points of issue, a second state of a first edition may be printed to correct these. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. 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 second print run can be described as a first edition, second printing. A general definition for a first edition is the first time that a written work appears in a. I share some examples to hight a few very basic rules that can be helpful to identifying them. Ill point out that this question is a moot pointyoure reading my blog, after all, so you know mebut lets say you want to do this whole collecting thing on your own, without consulting an experienced rare book dealer.
Book club edition dust jackets are easily identified because they do not have a price marked inside the front cover. Paul helps a reader identify a first edition book to enable her to be sure she has struck gold. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. It also provides links to ebay and abebooks that targets searches for a particular book. How to identify a first printing or first edition this is for private use only. Publishers change their practices over the years, so a scribner first edition from 1924 will look different on the page than a first from 1935. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. The introduction explains the background and the problems encountered when trying to identify first edition ladybird books.
Free searchable database of modern first edition books. When asked about identifying first editions, james gannon, who oversees rare books for heritage auctions, shared that each publisher marked first editions differently. Its called a pocket guide to the identification of first editions and is edited by bill mcbride. This helpful guide includes first edition identifiers along with publisher and dj dust jacket price information. Lately, first edition has become widely accepted tto mean first edition, first printing when buying or selling books although, technically speaking, it shouldnt be. Youll likely recover the cost of this book very quickly, with your new ability to figure out whats a first edition. Includes images and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of true first editions. Later printing trade edition dust jackets will often have a different price from what is found in the table. There is no one way to identify the first edition of a book. 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.
The search bar is located at the top right of table. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. Nov 08, 2012 the beginners guide to identifying first editions amanda nelson nov 8, 2012 like many things in publishing, what denotes a first edition can be complex and dependent on the whims of individual publishing houses. Bookpoi a guide to identify points of issue for first. Many other factors play a role, including condition, scarcity, provenance. The following books will arm you with years of knowledge found nowhere else. Oct 17, 2011 identifying a first edition is no simple matter. The first edition continues until the book is changed. Identifying first editions, a primer the publishers this article is part ii of a series. The letter on the left hand side determines the edition.
Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. After 1985, began using a first edition statement and number row. 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 edition identification by publisher ag book collecting tips.
Just because a book is a first edition, which is the very first printing of a book, does not make it rare. Ladybird books how to identify first editions ladybird. That means you dont have to waste your time scrolling through over 50 novels. The reference guide a pocket guide to the identification of first editions is an excellent pocket guide for the book buyer, the book collector, and the book seller who is interested in knowing the number lines and the lettering systems used by different publishers both past and present in order to identify true first editions of books. Books with first and second printings before publication are second printings. How to identify first editions book collecting guide. A matching date on the page or the back of the title page often identifies a book published in the mid to late 1800s as a first edition. Seuss books presented, the first edition book can be identified without the dust jackets. As you start collecting books, youll start hearing terms like first edition, first printing, first edition thus, and so on. Most of the bookselling associations have a code of ethics that their members follow, and lend great. 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.
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. In the case of titles published before 1900, the key to firstedition identification is often the date on the title page. Welcome to bookpoi the first comprehensive free online guide dedicated to identifying first edition books, as well as collectible and rare books. The beginners guide to identifying first editions amanda nelson nov 8, 2012 like many things in publishing, what denotes a first edition can be complex and dependent on the whims of individual publishing houses. If the book is very, very popular, second editions or reprint editions may be desirable to collectors who dont have the cash to fork over for first editions but still want a piece of rare book. First edition, first printing, first published, published, or first impression appears on the page. There are other identifiers for these books as well. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want to know which one is superior. There are many ways that publishers identify their books as a first edition. This superb reference provides publishers verbatim statements. Another common method of identification is the number line thats. The table below lists the first trade edition identification criteria for each of stephen kings books.
Also, just because its a first edition doesnt automatically mean its valuable, most of the time thats not the case. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary from publishing house to publishing house. These 24 page books can also have and a by the roman numeral year with all other editions not marked. Although it is sometimes confusing, there are certain things to look for when trying to identify a rare book. Also, book club edition dust jackets dj are occasionally found on first editions to replace lost or damaged jackets. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition. If you buy, sell or collect books, these should be your first investment. How to identify a first printing or first edition this is for private use only last update 7. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list click on the books title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. The abaa glossary is a master of understatement when it says every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. Putnams sons and now they are owned by penguin random house.
Print runs are the set number of copies of the book printed at one time. Publishers are listed alphabetically and their method of identifying first editions organized by year. And sometimes signed early editions are pretty valuable, even if they arent first editions from the first printing. There are several ways to identify book club editions bce. You will find an ever growing list of book titles and their important points of issue, as well as author, illustrator and editor bibliographies and biographies and book publisher information on this site. Its also true that first edition doesnt always correlate with value or collectibility. Prior to 1945, first editions can generally be identified by the lack of a later printing statement on the page. Identifying a first edition march 15, 2016 john helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book. John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book, the different. The new zealand branch of random house stated in 1995 that they have no way of identifying first editions and first printings, except that they do make note of subsequent editions or reprints. The different types of number lines and a few noteworthy editions of certain titles are mentioned. Unraveling the mysteries of first and later printings.
Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog. This primer will help to answer some of the most common questions asked about identifying first editions including when you can rely on a statement of edition and when you cannot, how can you tell if a book is a first edition when the publisher doesnt state it, how to identify book club editions and reprint editions, and much more. The convention for identifying first editions was maintained and was also adopted for random house business books. Oct 03, 2019 for publishers, first edition may just mean the first version of the text, without significant revisions. 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 confusion around first editions is illustrated by 1984 by george orwell. Identifying a first edition can be difficult, when it doesnt clearly state first edition. It is compact because of space limitations, and dealers of any size should consider one of the two books in the reference book section. It is compact because of space limitations, and dealers of any size should consider one of the two books in the reference book.
We might even have some copies for sale if you feel like checking. In general table of contents introduction part i the reprint publishers part i book club editions continue reading. For more detailed information on identifying first editions by a wide range of publishers, we recommend the 1995 edition of edward n. Click on the book s title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. The first printing is the first batch of books printed from this first setting of type. Jul 20, 20 this is why dealers will often distinguish 20 th century and later books with the description of first printing over first editionthough for most reputable dealers, first edition will mean first edition, first printing unless explicitly stated otherwise. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. Stephen king novels first edition identification guide use the search to the right to search for title, publication date, publisher, etc title and cover.
For a small press, this might be the only printing a book gets, so all copies are first edition, first printings. Occasionally, they accidentally left the first edition statement on later printings. A general rule is that if the number 1 is listed, the book is a first edition. Presumably in the 1970s began using a first edition statement and number row. 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. They tend to be smaller in size than the regular editions of the books, so thats a good way to tell them apart. Beginning in 1945, usually placed a first edition statement on the page of books produced in the united states no statement on books produced outside the united states. The best site on the net for info on rare stephen king books. A very basic description of first edition, according to, would be the first appearance of a work in question.
General guidelines for identifying a first edition. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. Publishers who did not or do not use a first edition statement, in most cases, note subsequent printings on the page. The term first edition holds different meanings for publishers and for collectors. The early doubleday books all say first edition explicitly on the page cp. Ive found a very nice slim volume which fits in a shirt pocket or purse and is a very good quick guide to first editions. How to identify a first edition book justcollecting. For these publishers, the absence of a later printing statement is the key to identifying the first edition. Collectors distinguish between a first edition the first printing of a book and a modern first edition which moreorless applies to books printed. Open the book and look at the inside flap of the dust jacket. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the.
The presence of a date on the title page alone may identify books published prior to the mid1800s as first editions. Mar 15, 2016 today in book collecting 101, were talking about identifying first edition books. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. First printing, first impression, and first published are other ways of publishers stating the first edition.
As bookbreak paid a visit to second hand bookshops this week, we are offering our pointers on how to spot a first edition book. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets. In an earlier faq i gave the short answer for how to identify a first edition. A number line such as 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1, or something. Pictures of the true first edition of harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. Even though there are similar tables online, this one is unique. This is a great reference for anyone looking to purchase a first edition and whos not quite sure what the first issue points may be. In the book collecting industry, first edition is always meant to be the first printing of the first edition of the book. What do the numbers on the covers of golden books mean. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the earliest version of the book to exist in. Identifying first editions from specific publishers. Sometimes publishers include the words first edition next.
Some serious collectors will stop at nothing to track down the most rare and valuable first editions of classic, renowned works. In a couple of cases, the book is the first editionfirst or early printing. Prior to the 1970s, may have used a first edition statement with the exception of books produced outside the united states. Publishers will deem a book a first edition if no major read more. We try to answer some of these burning questions below. Oxford university press until the late 1980s, there was no first edition statement, however, later printings were noted. How to identify a first edition book general guidelines for identifying a first edition. Heres a handy new guide we just published on our blog for identifying stephen king first edition books.
Many books have additional printings, even first editions may have later dates that are not true first editions and will affect value. Typically, you will want to start with the page as a first glance into a books lineage. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book youtube. First edition identification would be an easy task if there were only one publishing house and they remained consistent in their printing methods over the years, but. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill.
In nearly all cases, the book is also the first editionfirst printing. Antique traders first edition guide what is a first edition. Each publisher has a different method of designating firsts and they change it regularly, too. Includes identificaton criteria and points of issue to help collectors identify the original book. How to identify first editions and care for old books. Stephen king novels first edition identification guide. Book collectors and booksellers are meticulous in their meaning of first edition. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition. The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide. In 1964, began stating first edition, along with later printings being noted. Its easy to use, and small and light enough to fit in your pocket. A first edition is a book that has been printed and distributed for the first time. How to identify random house first editions books tell you.
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