What are first edition books? How do I tell if my book is a first edition? We answer these questions and more to help budding collectors.
What are first edition books? And how can you tell if a book is a first edition? We try to answer some of these burning questions below, alongside our pointers on how to spot a first edition book.
What is a first edition book?
A first edition is a book that has been printed and distributed for the first time. 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.
Should I care what edition my book is? Are all first editions valuable?
Possibly! Depending on the popularity and demand of a book, it could become valuable further down the line. First editions are what some book collectors hunt for, and are often willing to part with considerable amounts of money. As an example, true first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone are selling forthousands of pounds 20 years later.
If you see yourself as a budding collector, then noting our tips for spotting a first edition below may make your life a little easier. If you never plan to part with your books, then you can ignore what edition your book is and just enjoy the insides for what they are: great pieces of literature.
It's worth keeping in mind that every book published has a first edition, but not every book is desired by collectors.
How do I tell if my book is a first edition copy?
This is where things start to become a little confusing, as different publishers use different identifiers. The general rule of thumb is to take a look at the copyright page and look at the numbers and dates.
The Numbers
A number line is usually present, such as9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1or1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. If a 1 is present - in any sequence - it's usually a sign that the book is a first edition. If a book reads something like3 5 7 9 8 6 4, then your book is not part of the first printing (the example above indicates a third printing cycle).
The Dates
If the date on a copyright page matches the date on the title page, it's likely that your copy is a first edition. These dates can differ if the publication date is earlier than copyright is acquired, but if this is the indicator used you will want to ensure both dates match.
The Edition Identifier
Some publishers will print the words 'First Edition', 'First Printing', 'First Impression' or similar on their copyright page to make it easier to identify which printing a book was part of. It's always worth checking the number in this situation, as the words can sometimes be left on the copyright page either by mistake or intentionally, leading to some confusion.
Watch our BookBreak video for some tips and tricks on second-hand book shopping below:
The publisher may actually state the words 'first edition' or 'first printing' on the copyright page. Another common method of identification is the number line – that's a line of numbers on the copyright page. Usually, if a one is present in the line then it's a first edition.
Books typically need a new ISBN any time a new edition is printed, but it may not always be the case. Search online for the book title followed by “first edition ISBN” to find out the correct 10- or 13-digit number. If the ISBN on your book's copyright page or barcode matches, then it could be a first-edition copy.
Occasionally a letter line is used (ex: a b c d e). Generally speaking, if the “1” is present, the book is a first edition (first edition, first printing). For the second printing, the “1” is removed, so the “2” is the lowest number present.
But remember that just because a book is a first edition doesn't mean it's valuable. While some first editions can go for millions, other factors determine whether a first edition is worth collecting.
There are four major criteria your book must meet, be it a hardcover or a paperback, to be considered a true first edition. You can check whether “first edition” is mentioned on the copyright page, but you also need to check it for the correct publisher, date, edition number, and print run number.
On Energy cards, it is in the top right corner. On Trainer cards, it is in the bottom left corner. The symbol is the number “1” on a solid black circle with the word “EDITION” in all capital letters arching around the top of the circle. Pokémon cards quickly became popular, prompting a second print run of the Base Set.
What and Why First Editions. A first edition is the first printing of a book. It's true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition.
The printer's key, also known as the number line, is a line of text printed on a book's copyright page (often the verso of the title page, especially in English-language publishing) used to indicate the print run of the particular edition.
Printed in the United States of America. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. As Dave Taylor explains, the smallest number tells you which printing of the book you have. For example, if you see “10 9 8 7 6 5 4” then you have a fourth printing.
Another factor to consider is how many copies from the first print run were printed. Those which had a lower number of books in the initial print run will have fewer copies of the book in circulation, making them rarer and potentially more valuable.
For a period of several years, they indicated a first printing with a number line that began with “2”. Anness Publishing uses a number line that reads 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. The 1 indicates that this is a first printing.
These initial printings are so precious because this is the closest a collector can get to the source. Many books undergo certain changes between printings to correct errors or edit the story according to the author's wishes – first editions are raw and pure.
If a second edition has the same title as the first, does it keep the same ISBN? No. A new edition is considered a different product and gets its own ISBN.
The number line refers to the line of numbers printed on the copyright page. These lines of numbers usually follow a format such as (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ) where the “1” signifies that the book is a first edition. Often you'll find a number line such as: ( 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ).
A first edition is the first printing of a book. It's true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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