To identify what printing you have, look for the lowest number in the string. Some serious collectors will stop at nothing to track down the most rare and valuable first editions of classic, renowned works. Each book thats published, of course, has a first edition. If there is a 1 still present in the number line, it is the first print of the book from the publisher. The first edition continues until the book is changed. Depending on demand, any number of printings can be made from a setting of type for example, a first printing might consist of copies, followed by a second printing of 2500 copies. In the case of titles published before 1900, the key to firstedition identification is often the date on the title page. Our intention is to post first edition points for dr. Picture of the first edition page for harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary from publishing house to publishing house. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman rare. Every book had a first printing, but not all of them are worth a fortune. The string of numbers can be descending, as it is here, ascending, or in totally random order.
The first time a publisher releases a new book, all copies of that book. Older books are generally worth more money, but before you can determine the book s value you first need to determine when it was published. First edition is printed on page, and r49 is printed on page 447. Books go through multiple printings over the years, and a first edition is going to bring you more money than a newer printing. The first commercial print run of a novel is called the first printing of the first edition. In many cases, the points will include photographs of the book s essential identifying points. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the earliest version of the book to exist in.
Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. The first edition was published in 2015 by random house. The value of any collector grade book is influenced by several factors, among them condition, rarity and demand. Vj books use of 1st edition in a book s description denotes a first edition first printing of the book being described. In this example, the lowest number is 1, so i have a first edition, first printing.
Older books are generally worth more money, but before you can determine the books value you first need to determine when it was published. Next, go through this list with each book that seems promising. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. You can find detailed help on identifying book club editions. 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. A price and identification guide to answer this question. The book is only described as a second edition if significant changes are made to the copy. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the. View photos first scribner hardcover edition september 20 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on cp. Another common method of identification is the number line thats. If your copy is a 3rd printing, or a book club edition, it wont have the same value as a first edition. By the time the fourth book in the series was released harry potter mania had well and truly taken hold and copies were printed by the millions. After you determine that you indeed have a first edition in your possession, then you have to research the potential value.
In 1922, they began stating first edition as well, but also used the above coding system until 1949. But they lack the embossed diamond pattern on the book boards. 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. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. First edition 24689753, to first editions, and removed the first edition statement from subsequent printings e. Oct 17, 2011 identifying a first edition is no simple matter. 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. Youll likely recover the cost of this book very quickly, with your new ability to figure out whats a first edition and whats not.
As always, there are exceptions to the rule, so in order to gain the best information you can on your particular book, please contact one of the society member book dealers. Its easy to use, and small and light enough to fit in your pocket. The printing year 1929 boards are red, last page has an advertisment for the don sturdy series. Published in 1969 by delacorte press there were only ten thousand first editions. 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.
Books go through multiple printings over the years, and a. The books from the second set are slightly harder to find than the books from the first. Thus you could see the words first edition on a book with the number starting at 4 or d. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill.
How do people determine if theyve got a first edition or just an old book. On each of the web pages, the title of the book links to its first edition identification points. The main characteristics of a 1997 first edition first issue are a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of joanne rowling, not jk. Youll likely recover the cost of this book very quickly, with your new ability to figure out whats a first edition. Another note here on the use of the term first edition. Navigate through our full selection of first editions below to find a particular item youre looking for, ask a question, or order online today. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book youtube. Abebooks explains how to identify a first edition book. If not, the fact that its a first edition doesnt matter. 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. To confuse matters, a first state is a term for the first printed form a book takes each state referring to a minor change or group of changes to the type or paper. Determining the fair market value of a first edition fiction book. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number.
Unless the author or publishers makes changes to the text, adds something like an appendix or authors note, or revises the text, there is only one edition from format to format. One of the most scarce and desirable rackham titles. For example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 indicates a first printing. Remember that even if the lowest number is 2, 3, or whatever, if the publisher is still. Seuss books should also own a copy of first editions of dr. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. Book think clearly illustrates the importance of condition with its valuation of kurt vonneguts slaughterhousefive. A general rule is that if the number 1 is listed, the book is a 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. 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. But publishers are the only ones who use the term that way. This is variant b, my copy of the flapper wife its a reprint. The value of a first edition will fluctuate with demand.
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. Both of these later editions are also considered collectable, and are less difficult to obtain than first editions. How to identify a first printing or first edition this is for private use only last update 7. Not all first editions say the words first edition on the title page. Firstedition 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. In collecting terms, a general definition of 1st edition book would be a works first commercially available appearance in. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr. Book editions, or book printings, follow the standard conventions used by various publishing houses. Collectors use the term first edition to mean first edition, 1st state. 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. Featured books rare books and first editions bauman rare books. We show you what to look for so you can determine if you have a true first edition or a book club edition. Defects like chips, cracks, fading and shelf wear will also negatively impact the price of the overall 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.
Nancy drew a guide to the grosset and dunlap editions. Books are more than just our hobby its our passion. You can buy a guide to identifying first editions to make some sense of the confusion. First edition archives raptis rare books fine rare and. Seuss, caldecott award, and other key childrens picturebooks at the rate of two to three per week. Positively identifying first editions from later editions in the shortest possible time greatly increases the enjoyment and satisfaction of book collecting. Based on the titles listed and other books in my collection with the same panel, my best guess is that this reprint is from late 1927 or 1928. Identifying first edition hardy boys book the ebay community. Print runs are the set number of copies of the book printed at one time. K rowing will have a much higher value even if it isnt an early edition or part of harry potter first edition set. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. For printings beyond the 10th, random house adds a 1 to the number line and a letter to its center so that, for instance, 2468b97531 would. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading determining possession connecticut kings book 3. The collector the best site for info on limited edition stephen king available at both and.
Since 1997, bookfinder has made it easy to find any book at the best price. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Determining the value of a rare book the first edition. 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. If that first group sells out then another batch of books. Boards are light blue with white lettering on a black spine. 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.
How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. Determining possession connecticut kings book 3 kindle edition. How to identify first editions and care for old books. The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide. To a publisher, all printings within an edition are the first edition. Book club editions book of the month clubs often use the same printing plates as the original publisher, right down to the words first edition on the printing history. The philosophers stone is a 1st ed, 1st print one of the 500, chamber of secrets is a 1st edition 1st print, prisoner is a 1st ed 1st print 1st state with errors, goblet of fire is first edition by omnia, and last are all 1st edition as stated. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog. How to identify first editions book collecting guide.
The question dealers are most often asked by collectors is, how much is this book worth. The best site on the net for info on rare stephen king books. Can anyone help me with identifying a whether my book is a first edition. In this example, the book is technically a first edition but fourth printing or fourth state. A first edition is the first time a book is printed by a publisher. All following statements 1976, 1981, and 1988 are essentially the same. Nov 08, 2012 the string of numbers can be descending, as it is here, ascending, or in totally random order. If you own a signed book, first edition, or a rare edition book and are curious about its value contact the antiquarian professionals at the first edition rare books, llc. Mar 23, 2018 determine the price of your rare book. First edition is stated below random house number line 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1. However, for a first edition to have value, there must be a demand for it. First edition criteria and points to identify the firm by. 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. Sometimes publishers include the words first edition next.
The number line near the bottom of the page doesnt necessarily determine the edition, but it tells you how many times the book has been printed. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. What follows is an overview of how to determine whether the book you have is a 1st edition. A book club edition is far less valuable than the true first u. First editions with dust jackets are becoming so rare that they are commanding extremely good values while a first edition without a dust jacket is considered fairly common. First printing, first impression, and first published are other ways of publishers stating the first edition. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets. Whether you want the cheapest reading copy or a specific collectible edition, with bookfinder, youll find just the right book. I have a hardy boys book called the mystery of cabin island. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Is it a first edition, first trade edition or first separate edition. Dealers rely on experience and reference books to identify valuable first editions.
First edition identification by publisher ag book collecting tips. The book on the bottom of this picture is the first state boards for the firm. In publishing terms, a first edition book is all copies that were printed from the same setting of type as when first published. The presence of a date on the title page alone may identify books published prior to the mid1800s as first editions. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set. Charles scribners sons, 1934, first edition with dust jacket, sold for. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. This onevolume edition was the first time that the book appeared as the author had originally intended it. Compare your book to the details of each book listed, comparing the publisher, year published, edition, condition, and any physical description of the book. Harvard classics complete set 51 volumes first edition. The most notorious are know as book club editions, which mislead many people into believing that they have a valuable first edition book when in fact they have a very common book club edition. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. Many publishers use the term first edition to mean a book reprinted without changes.
First edition copies state first edition on the page and the number sequence will be 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. The book club edition also states first edition and has a full number line. When you see an old book at a yard sale or flea market, you might find yourself wondering when the book was published. Harvard classics complete set 51 volumes first edition the five foot shelf of books hardcover 1909. Determining the value of a rare book the first edition rare. Later printings when offered will always be disclosed. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions details the methods over 4,600 different publishers use to identify their first editions. Picture of the 1998 first edition dust jacket for harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. Oct 03, 2019 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. How to determine when a book was printed pen and the pad. Seuss books 2002, by helen younger, marc younger, and dan hirsch.
Raptis rare books maintains an extensive collection of rare and firstedition books from a variety of authors and publishers. The condition of a first edition book, like all collectible books, is an important factor in determining its value. The numeral 1 will be removed for a second printing. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. Stephen king novels first edition identification guide. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. To publishers, a first edition is the first version of a book before changes are made forewords added, afterwords added, typos corrected, whatever. Most collectors prize the first edition, first printing because it was the way the book first appeared. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition. First scribner hardcover edition november 2011 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on cp. You can find detailed help on identifying book club editions here. Oct 30, 2019 the book is quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards.