Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr. How to tell if a book is first edition know the printing. After a few months, they may decide to reprint the book if its selling well and we get more orders for. If its from a small press, which often run one printing of their books, youre sometimes safe assuming what you have is a first edition unless otherwise. Identifying first edition hardy boys book the ebay community. Generally, the edition doesnt change unless the content in the book or the publisher changes. A first edition book can have multiple printings if the first printing sells out.
You can have a large print run or a small print runits completely up to the publisher, and generally speaking the size of a. Other first edition points for books by harper lee include. After a few months, they may decide to reprint the book if its selling well and we get more orders for books. I have a hardy boys book called the mystery of cabin island. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first printing. How can you tell if my book is a book club edition. Jan 22, 2020 a first printing is the first set of a particular version or edition of a book, while the edition refers to the content and format of the book itself. It is the first edition, first printing of the paperback in the u. In some instances, the limitededition version contains. Rare and valuable books old and not so old books worth. A book may go through many printings and still be considering the first edition. A document discussing the difference between editions and printings in relationship to the collecting of modern books.
It usually takes decades for a book to become collectible and gain significant value on the rare book market. Sep 24, 2010 how to tell which printing a book is from. The statement second printing before publication really just means that the book is a second printing. The first edition continues until the book is changed. Limitededition books are also sometimes signed by the author, illustrator andor other contributors to make them more exclusive and collectible. If this line is missing, this can also indicate its the first printing. Because so many versions of the book came before this. The paper used for the pages is often thinner and of lesser quality than trade editions. To find the market value for this book, click on the prefilled ebay, abebooks, or biblio links to the right and look for comparable listings that have all of these first edition points. How to diagnose and repair all desktop 3d printing.
Pictures of the true first edition of dune by frank herbert. The basics contains a wealth of information about the worlds most versatile print medium. On some books, usually newer ones, you can find a printing date right underneath the title. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. The polar express first edition, first printing chris van allsburg, chris van allsburg on. Chris van allsburg born june 18, 1949 in grand rapids, mi is an american author and illustrator of childrens books. In the rare books trade, first printings of first editions are usually the most soughtafter, and the term. A popular book is sometimes reissued under the imprint of a book club. However if there are several years shown on the page, such as c 1997, 2005, 2011the most recent date is the likely date of the. This image from mywingsbooks guide to bce demonstrates the. As the book series grew in popularity the later books. A true first is considered to be the very first edition and printing of a book that was released.
The first edition of gone with the wind has been reprinted over 100 times since it was first published. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set and. Oct 17, 2011 abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. Books have tales to tell, and if youve stumbled on an old volume, you likely want to learn its history. A popular book may have had dozens of additional printings causing its first printing to be the most valuable. 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. Its way beyond my expertise to go into all of the variations and possibilities, but here are some pointers. Maybe you just want to print one proof copy of your own book to see how good our book printing is. On the other hand, if substantial changes are made to the book after its first printing. How you can tell the difference between a first edition, first printing, and a book club edition of a collectible book and why it matters.
This little book lists most publishers and uses a simplified code system based on the authors experience handling actual first editions. Can anyone help me with identifying a whether my book is a first edition. Subsequent printings would be, for example, a 2nd printing but not a first edition. The abebooks online marketplaces has sold hundreds of copies of rowlings books at high prices, including a first edition of harry. In golden books dates to not help to determine edition. With my more recent experiences with online auctions ebay, yahoo, and their like i find that many others are not very clear on just what edition means, how to tell a first, why a first is significant, and the difference between an edition and a printing. Often it is a new setting and with cheaper paper and binding. While trying to figure out if some old books i had were worth any money, i found some. How can you tell the difference between 1st and 2nd. Once you have some level of confidence that your book is a first edition, you may be faced with a question of state. T he harry potter series only began in 1997 and yet j.
How to tell the edition of a book checking the copyright page look for text that states the edition of the book. How to tell which printing a book is from broken secrets. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. The first printing is the first batch of books printed from this first setting of type. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. 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.
Any photographic illustrations in the original are either absent or reduced in number. In nearly all cases, the book is also the first editionfirst printing. Ive always read comics for years but im partially new to comic book collecting. So if a book has had more than one printing, how can you tell which one you have and therefore whether or not your edition is a true first.
When the supply of the first printing or impression. Book club editions are sold to members at a good discount compared with the original issue price. I seen it was differences between 1st and 2nd printings. In older editions of books, the publishers sometimes listed a date on the bottom of the book page. Oct 03, 2019 even lower, and the book says first u. May have occasionally stated first edition, but in general, the absence of a later printing statement indicates a first edition.
This is how the printers key will appear in the first print run of a book. Because so many versions of the book came before this copy, it likely wont be worth a lot of money. Looking for a way to tell if a book is a first edition. The first printing is also what book collectors call a first edition. Unless there is some statement below this, such as second printing or revised edition, the book in question is a first edition. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books.
So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first. Sep 10, 2014 looking for a way to tell if a book is a first edition. Its way beyond my expertise to go into all of the variations and possibilities. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. This is an instructional book for new and training professionals in the screen printing industry, and for doityourself individuals and hobbyists. As you can see, this book has been extremely successful its in its 12th printing. Artists often become more popular after theyve passed on.
How to tell the date of the edition or the printing in the. Also, if your number line started at 3 4 5, you would probably have a first edition, 3rd printing unless the book was published by one of the nonconforming presses. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog. The first edition binding of to kill a mockingbird on the top with its green spine is very different than the book club edition below it with a black spine. History, modern applications and methods, new technology, and practical production. So, you have just entered the world of book collecting, and have probably. Also, if your number line started at 3 4 5, you would probably have a first edition.
Some publishers start the number line at 2, with 1 being the first edition. First edition points and criteria for to kill a mockingbird. Or maybe you just want to know how good it feels to hold your very own printed book in your hands. Additionally, there are millions of book club editions in print.
This image from mywingsbooks guide to bce demonstrates the subtle differences in the smaller size of hardcover bce books. To find the market value for this book, click on the prefilled ebay, abebooks, or biblio links to the right and look for comparable listings that have. Several more expensive copies are available via abebooks. Editions and printings, how to tell the difference. This can be really easy sometimes or really complicated sometimes. The abaa glossary is a master of understatement when it says every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions. When the supply of the first printing or impression runs low, and the publisher needs more copies a second printing is done. Well, glenn larsens guide to first editions was one of. Nov 08, 2012 so if a book has had more than one printing, how can you tell which one you have and therefore whether or not your edition is a true first. Well, glenn larsens guide to first editions was one of the first internet documents i ran across about first editions and book club editions and reprint publishers and other items in the. First edition points to identify the grapes of wrath by john.
Print your own book single book printing one off book. Pictures of the true first edition of harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. Explore a collection of some of the finest and most desirable books from more than five centuries. That means that there are literally millions of copies of the book that can technically be referred to as first editions. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable.
First edition points to identify to kill a mockingbird by. He won the caldecott medal for jumanji 1982 and the polar. How to identify first editions or a first printing of harry. It does not apply to every comic book ever printed, but for the most part should be a useful tool for you if you are concerned about acquiring one printing over. The dust jacket may be made of thinner or uncoated paper. That changed with the printing press, making duplication of books faster and cheaper, which made books more accessible to common people. Find out how to tell if a book is a first edition with this handy guide. Feb 09, 2008 the first edition, first printing of a book is the very first time the book is printed, obviously.
Any photographic illustrations in the original are. If it is the second printing then the 1 is removed, meaning that the lowest number seen will be 2. Whats the difference between a reprint and a new edition. To determine when a book was printed, you need to look inside the book and do some research. Oct 03, 2018 how to tell if you have a harry potter first edition. The images above are from one of my favorite books, the book of awesome. First edition points to identify the grapes of wrath by. Publishers each have their own way of identifying the first edition or more correctly first printing of any book they produce.
The first edition, first printing of a book is the very first time the book is printed, obviously. Sometimes we catch typos or readers will catch typos with the first printing of the book. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. Print runs are the set number of copies of the book printed at one time. How to determine when a book was printed pen and the pad.
If there is only a 1, it signifies the first printing. How to tell if you have a first edition copy of a book. How to tell if a comic book is a first, second, third or higher printing. The oldest books have printings listed in front such as. How can you tell the difference between 1st and 2nd printings on dark knight 1. If the initial print run of this first edition sells out and the publisher decides to produce a subsequent printing with the same typeset the book would be described as a first edition, second printing. Check the year the book was ed versus when it was published. If a second edition has the same title as the first, does it keep the same isbn. Flip through the book to see if you can find a date listed anywhere inside the book, especially printed on the bottom of the pages. For example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 indicates a first printing. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction.
Some serious collectors will stop at nothing to track down the most rare and valuable first editions of classic, renowned works. The printing year 1929 boards are red, last page has an advertisment for. As the book series grew in popularity the later books were printed by the millions even on the first print run, so for the final books in the series first editions are not remotely rare. Firstly its important to establish what actually constitutes a harry potter first edition. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. In a couple of cases, the book is the first editionfirst or early printing. The boards the book cover may be bound with thick paper instead of cloth. For a small press, this might be the only printing a book gets, so all copies are first edition, first printings.
Hardcover first edition first printings of this 1997 book have become the holy grail. How to tell if i have a first edition copy of a book. Lately, first edition has become widely accepted tto mean first edition, first printing when buying or selling books although, technically speaking, it shouldnt be. Whether you are buying your first antiquarian book or enhancing a library of rare books, you can rely on our expertise and worldwide services. Is there anyway to find the difference between printings by looki.
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 identify first editions book collecting guide. 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. What i have learned is the general rule for telling if a comic is a first, second, third or higher printing.
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