Tell if book first eddition

Experts can tell how old a book is by the look and feel of the paper, and its method of printing the text and illustrations. After 1985, began using a first edition statement and number row. What follows is an overview of how to determine whether the book you have is a 1st edition. We would love to have a conversation with you about the book you would like to sell. If the publisher prints more copies of the identical book, those are not first editions. Check for special book club markings on the backboard near the spine. Just 500 first editions of the first novel were published in 1997. For example, the page may read first edition and be accompanied by the number line 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2. Edition really refers to the content of the book a first edition is the first way that the book ever appeared in print.

Oxford university press until the late 1980s, there was no first edition statement, however, later printings were noted. First edition most often refers to the first commercial publication of a work between its own covers, even if it was first printed in a periodical. Learn the basics of first edition identification for book collectors. I just stumbled across a site that describes in detail exactly how to identify an outlander first edition. Whether youre a book collector searching for a first edition or youre a student looking for the most recent copy of a textbook. Confusion enters the situation when one encounters both a first edition designation and a number line. A big thing to look for when determining if a book is a first edition, or a book club edition is size. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. As a first edition, it should count down 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. There are genuine issue points on some jackets that determine the printing of the book but the biggest potential problem is when later state wrappers find their way onto first edition books. In general, books before 1900 did not indicate first or subsequent printings.

Occasionally, they accidentally left the first edition statement on later printings. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. 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. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. Are the books on your shelves or in your grandparents attic worth something. Books can be printed in another country first and then in the united states, or vice versa. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want to know which one is superior. 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. But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies. May have occasionally stated first edition, but in general, the absence of a later printing statement indicates a first edition.

Can a first edition of a book be identified by its isbn. Includes identificaton criteria and points of issue to help collectors identify the original book. From what i understand and im no expert in these matters. Its core members were kenny rogers lead vocals and bass guitar, mickey jones drums and. Usually, if a one is present in the line then its a first edition.

This can usually be determined by rudimentary checks though specialised bibliographies may need to be consulted. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. How can i tell if a book is a first modern library edition. The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing. 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. A popular book may have had dozens of additional printings causing its first printing to be the most valuable. With over 20 years serving oz collectors, we had an opportunity to obtain a large collection of oz books and memorabilia. 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 first edition refers to a books first printing run. Seuss books should also own a copy of first editions of dr. We specialize exclusively in the wizard of oz books series.

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. Before anything else you should check to see if the book has first edition, first printing written inside the cover. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. A number 3 would indicate this first edition 3 4 5 6 7 8.

Generally speaking, a first printing will have the same isbn as all subsequent printings, unless the book changes publishers, formats, or is reissued with some hoopla. If the word first edition is on the page with a number line, that number line. Another common method of identification is the number line thats a line of numbers on the page. 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. If a 1 is present in any sequence its usually a sign that the book is a first edition. Each publisher has their own conventions for what they use to tell the first printing of their books. After 1947, letters were used to mark edition, a being first, b being second, and so on. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. For the second printing, the 1 is removed, so the 2 is the lowest number present. Keep in mind that there are many exceptions to the brief examples. If a book reads something like 3 5 7 9 8 6 4, then your book is not part of the first printing the example above indicates a third printing cycle. I cant tell whether these people are reading a first printing or a first edition from the state library of victoria.

Find out how to tell if a book is a first edition with this handy. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. Identify a first edition book guide to first editions millersmiles. We frequently get emails from people asking about first printings and first editions of books, and sometimes there seems to be some confusion about whether or. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. For the most part, the first edition of a book is more meaningful to the world of book collectors than it was to the publisher who printed it. Looking for a way to tell if a book is a first edition.

You must determine what condition the book is in as mint, fine, good, poor or junk. Most of the time if the numeral one is found in the line of numbers, then the book is a first edition. The little golden books printed through 1947 have the edition printed on the first pages. Book collecting guide identifying and collecting first editions. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary from publishing house to publishing house. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the. Presumably in the 1970s began using a first edition. From 1947 to 1970, one letter near the spine in the lower right corner noted the edition. Make sure that a book that does have a first edition slug hasnt carried the slug forward beyond the first printing by checking the table presented in the article false firsts. The most important thing to look at when trying to ascertain whether or not you have a harry potter first edition is what print run it is. Print run refers to the batches in which the books were printed back when printing was expensive, a first print run might contain only a few hundred books, until the publisher could be sure the book would sell. The first time a publisher releases a new book, all copies of that book printed without major changes can be considered a first edition book.

When the first edition of a book has a few typos or other small errors. For publishers, first edition may just mean the first version of the text, without significant revisions. Sometimes the number line is also accompanied by the words first edition, but be careful because some publishers leave on the words first edition even when the book is in its third printing and. The first edition points site explains how to tell whether its. Thats because the first printing only represents a portion of the total number of copies of a book that the publisher hopes to sell. Pictures of the true first edition of the pelican brief by john grisham. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. Our guide to first edition books will help you to identify a first edition and can find. The first editions worth most tend to be those published in small quantities for example, an authors first books, published before she was wellknown. If you are interested in having us take a look at your book, please fill out the contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill. Print runs are the set number of copies of the book. This book video will show you how to know if you have a first edition book. The first edition is interested in buying specific rare books and we offer great prices and secure payment options.

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 collecting terms, a general definition of 1st edition book would be a works first commercially available appearance in book form, printed with the original setting of type. A first edition book can have multiple printings if the first printing sells out. You first must determine what edition you have as most prices quoted are for first editions only. An easy way to tell a bookseller is trying to get one over on you is if they try to sell you a laterthanfirst printing and call it a first edition. Another example would be a smallpress or mimeo publication by a muchcollected poet. Prior to the 1970s, may have used a first edition statement with the exception of books produced outside the united states. In the rare books trade, first printings of first editions are usually the most soughtafter, and the term first edition is often used to refer to the first printing of a first edition. Seuss books 2002, by helen younger, marc younger, and dan hirsch. In 1964, began stating first edition, along with later printings being noted. Generally speaking, if the 1 is present, the book is a first edition first edition, first printing. Look at the tips below to help identify a 1st edition dead zone. A general rule is that if the number 1 is listed, the book is a first edition. The book collectors definition is the first printing of the first edition.

How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set. First edition criteria and points to identify the pelican. How to tell if a book is first edition know the printing. If the book was put together on movable type, dating from gutenberg and 1450, it will have raised type that you can feel on the page. The sequence of the numbers varies between publishers but the basic principal remains the same apart from a few exceptions a first issueeditionimpression requires the presence of the number 1. For example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 indicates a first printing. In that case, the supply remains low while demand for rises. To check books without first edition slugs, use the article stalking the unmarked first. How to identify first editions and care for old books. A book is very hard to value without seeing it as one persons mint might be another persons poor. Our collection of first edition oz books exceeds all of the antique book dealers combine.

If the date of first publication doesnt match that of your edition then youre out of luck. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book youtube. To a book collector the phrase first edition refers to a book that was released during the first printing of the first edition they call this book a 1st1st. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. You can tell if the book is a first edition with 4 easy steps. As with many early viking editions, this book can be hard to authenticate as a true 1st edition.