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. A basic guide to all aspects of book collecting was freshly updated in 2010. That is because a first edition is the very first copy of a book to be published for sale, which often makes first editions rare books, hardtofind copies, or even outof print editions. John grisham 1st edition books for sale in stock ebay. Sep 04, 2015 in many cases, serious book collectors are after first editions.
Since world war ii, books often include a number line printers key that indicates the print run. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection. Identifying and collecting first editions the hobbit first edition by j. Rare and antiquarian books can be surprisingly valuable. We are always looking for first 1st edition books in hardback, we buy single books or large collections. In most cases, however, you will want to stay away from book club editions if you are trying to build a book collection. Each book thats published, of course, has a first edition. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the. But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies.
Publishers will deem a book a first edition if no major read more. How to identify first editions book collecting guide. Neither the collector nor the curator can be content to keep a mere curiosity shop. This book lists the points of issue, the fine details a typo, binding color, dustjacket detail that may distinguish the first books printed in a first edition from later ones. A blog about the reasons why do people collect first editions books. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the. The first edition was published in 1941 by harcourt, brace and company. As the popularity of collecting signed, first editions continues to grow, collectors may be missing an opportunity to add value and rarity to their book collection. When the supply of the first printing or impression runs low, and the publisher needs more copies a second printing is done. In this our life may 8, 2020 in this our life was written by ellen glasgow. First thus a booksellers term, indicating that although earlier editions of the book in question exist, this edition is the first to contain some feature, such a noteworthy set of illustrations, which is in itself desirable. Jul 15, 20 millions of books have been published over hundreds of years. In most cases, however, you will want to stay away from book club. Collecting big game hunting books during the 1990s trophy room books was selected to chair the prestigious seminar on collecting sponsored by safari club international.
However, for a first edition to have value, there must be a demand for it. 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. We venture to say that no other piece of terminology has caused so much contention among booksellers and collectors as that of first edition. This is often the case with nonfiction, especially historical works and narratives of travel and exploration. In the modern private collection, the need for a central idea must be fully recognized. Raptis rare books is a trusted antiquarian book dealer, and we maintain a wide variety of collectible and antique books. As an example, the conventional wisdom first edition the cat in the hat, with the 200200 on the front flap, is considered the first printing, while the 200200 was in actuality used in numerous printings. Pollard wrote of book collecting in his famous essay in the 11 th edition of the encyclopedia britannica 1911. You can collect any kind of books but make sure that you collect books that you love. If you have any old, secondhand or rare books, then get in touch. Blog with first edition idenfication points for key books, notes on book prices, and general topics related to collecting childrens picturebooks. Exercising knowledge, taste, and critical judgment, the book collector.
Few can afford to purchase a first edition of to kill a mockingbird, so one might be very happy to obtain a book club edition or a later printing. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. The definition of a first edition depends on who you are talking to. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. Mar 15, 2016 john helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book, the different types of number lines, and a few noteworthy first editions of certain titles. First edition books a collection of book collections. If not, the fact that its a first edition doesnt matter. In publishing terms, an edition is technically all copies of a book. However, book collectors generally use the term first edition to mean specifically the first print run of the first edition aka first edition, first impression.
But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run. The first printing is also what book collectors call a first edition. First thus a booksellers term, indicating that although earlier editions of the book in question exist, this edition is the first to contain some feature, such a noteworthy set of illustrations, which is in itself. Jul 31, 20 adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile. A very general rule in book collecting is that the first edition is the most desirable, but there are exceptions. As you are getting started, keep in mind that first editionfirst impression or first editionfirst printing is the real gem, whereas a first edition and a subsequent impression often wouldnt be considered as appealing. The first edition refers to a books first printing run.
First editions and signed copies are two cornerstones of book collecting, but, once you have delved into the world of used books, the golden rule is condition, condition, condition. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. Our long time leadership in the field of collecting both out of print and new big game hunting books is recognized throughout the hunting community. Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book hobby and other general book collecting related information. Subsequent printings would be, for example, a 2nd printing but not a first edition. Publishers, bibliographers, researchers and librarians use the term first edition to mean a book reprinted without changes. Some books are published in such huge quantities that first editions are very common.
Tolkien we venture to say that no other piece of terminology has caused so much contention among booksellers and collectors as that of first edition. Books from your childhood, books about space, your favourite fiction series, books published by a. There remains some attraction in identifying with the. Its 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. A new chapter for rare book collecting books the guardian. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. 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. Firstedition identification by publisher ag in the case of titles published before 1900, the key to firstedition identification is often the date on the title page.
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. Collectors use the term first edition as a short form of first printing of the first edition and that is how we will be using this term. The first comprehensive free online guide dedicated to identifying first edition books, as well as collectible and rare books. A new chapter for rare book collecting this article is more than 8 years old. As is often the case for new authors, many of the first edition of their books are distributed to libraries. Collecting ian fleming first edition books rare and antique. 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.
Rowlings birth name before she took a pen name and a. To find out more about what a first edition book is and why its. Are the books on your shelves or in your grandparents attic worth. This is often the case with nonfiction, especially historical works and narratives of travel. If youre looking for first edition or rare childrens books online, youve come to the right place. Book collecting, acquisition of books, not only as texts but also as objects desirable for such qualities as their age, scarcity, historical significance, value, beauty, and evidence of association with some important person. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr.
There remains some attraction in identifying with the character and his lifestyle how many men dont secretly desire to be bond at least in some small way. In the modern private collection, the need for a central idea must be. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition. The desire to acquire first editions could be considered the backbone of the book collecting world. Firsts provides an entry into the entertaining and enlightening world of book collecting. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary from publishing house to publishing house. Blog the first edition rare books rare books by notable people. Millions of books have been published over hundreds of years. Whether youre just starting out or a collector of many years standing, youll find something. According to the definition of edition above, a book printed today, by the same publisher, and from the same type as when it was first published, is still the first edition of that book to a. The goal of this site is to give book collectors the opportunity to display their treasured collections. As an example, the conventional wisdom first edition the cat in the hat, with the 200200 on the. Collecting ian fleming first edition books rare and.
That is because a first edition is the very first copy of a book to be published for sale, which often. How to store books safely the new antiquarian the blog of. 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. First edition books are the first appearances in print of a particular work, and as such convey value and meaning to their owner, aesthetically, emotionally and monetarily.
It is a complicated subject, the book collecting definition of first edition being first edition, first printing. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. The first edition of harry potter and the philosophers stone is the only book in the series that credits joanne rowling as its author j. Includes images and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of first editions. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. Now published bimonthly, it is an invaluable resource for book collectors. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Collectors distinguish between a first edition the first printing of a book and a modern first edition which moreorless applies to books printed. Oct 23, 2015 collecting ian fleming first edition books. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed rare.
Free searchable database of first edition pulitzer prize for fiction books. Today in book collecting 101, were talking about identifying first edition books. You will find an ever growing list of book titles and their important points of. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want to know which one is superior. First edition the first appearance of an authors work in book form. Recommended for any book collector, and a musthave for the collector of modern poetry or the beats, this book was written by the former proprietor of the phoenix book shop in new york. Well also provide tips on determining whether your book is a first. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number.
Understanding why do people collect first editions books. Learn the basics of first edition identification for book collectors. Mar 28, 2012 a new chapter for rare book collecting this article is more than 8 years old. The first edition refers to a book s first printing run. Book collecting, acquisition of books, not only as texts but also as objects desirable for such qualities as their age, scarcity, historical significance, value, beauty, and evidence of association with some. Firsts magazine has been the premier publication in its field for more than 20 years. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book. 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.
As you start collecting books, youll start hearing terms like first edition, first printing, first edition thus, and so on. 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. The term first edition holds different meanings for publishers and for collectors. Book collecting is the collecting of books, including seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever books are of interest to a given collector. Adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. Within the first printing there can be differences that make the earlier books in the printing more. John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book, the different types of number lines, and a few noteworthy first editions of certain titles. Basic guide to book collecting abebooks shop for books. Since it is now easy to accumulate all of the books written by an author in first edition to tick them off, as. The listings show estimated values from the 1986, 1995 and 2000 editions of the book and provide some cues about what sorts of books are gaining value at especially surprising.