What To Look For When Buying A First Edition Used Book

-- End Ad Box --->is number line should have the (1).
What to look for when buying a First Edition usedDates on copyright page and title page should agree.
book.The phrase, Copyright 1942, should be on the
What is a First Edition Book?copyright page and on page where title is, usually at
A First Edition book is a book that is the first printingbottom, 1942. Sometimes there will be a year
of the first edition of a book. That does not meanbetween the dates. This is not uncommon if book
the first book to be printed but the first run ofwas copyright late in one year and published in the
books that are printed of a newly published book.next year. Occasionally there will be more dates with
There can be hundreds or more in each printing. Tothe copyright date. This will occur when part of the
find a true First Edition in a used paperback book orbook had been published in a journal or anthology. In
used hardcover book can be very frustrating. But isthis case the last date should agree with title page
worth the effort if you find the book you want. Asdate. The rule for dates is they should be the same,
time passes most used paperback books are thrownthe copyright and title page dates.
away so, a First Edition in used paperback books areUndated Books, rare or vintage
rare. The same can be said for used hardcoverMany of the older books will not have dates on
books, they are generally discarded or they no longerthem. This makes if even harder to determine a First
have their dust jackets. The dust jackets areEdition. You will need to use a bibliography or library
valuable when reselling/buying a used hardcover book.guide to tell for sure. Some older books will have a
They have details on them that help determine thedate on the title page but no copyright date or visa
book’s origin. Here at I strive to state Firstversa. Book Club editions also have no corresponding
Edition only when the book meets the followingdates. General rule is if dates are missing check with
guidelines.sources before buying. A good seller will state if book
It is very hard to identify true First Editions most ofis a Book Club Edition. has listed vintage books that
the time. Below is a list of identifications that shouldmay have been First Editions, but I could not confirm
appear on the copyright and/or title pages.it so they are sold as vintage books.
Wording—First Edition, First Printing, First Impression,There are “sellers” selling book club books as
First Published or PublishedFirst Editions. Sometimes it is hard to tell because of
Take note that some publishers will state “Firstthe era it was printed in. If you are interested in a
Printing by (publisher). This is not a First Edition but acertain book and want a First Edition do your
first printing by a different publisher than originalhomework before purchasing. Check out the title,
publisher.book size, dates (if available,) publisher and the color
Number line, it will look like this, 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1of book cover all of these will help determine its
or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10status. Just because there is only one date on the
Usually the (1) should be on the number line. Thisbook does not make it a First Edition.
indicates it is the 1st printing. If the 1 is missing thatI hope this information will be helpful for the new
usually means that the book is a second printing.collector, when they go to purchase a used
There are some publishers who remove the 1 whenpaperback book or used hardcover book that says it
printing the first edition, Random House is one. If theis a First Edition. Remember when buying a used
1 is missing and you are not sure of thepaperback book or used hardcover book, to research
publisher’s rules it is a good idea to consult aor ask questions if you have doubts.
bibliography or guide to First Editions. The general rule