I recently purchased a first edition copy of Jack Howell's The Lovely Reed (1998). In addition to the usual identifiers on the Copyright Page, there is a dated Library of Congress copyright stamp plus a bar code. What are the significance of these added items?
A rare bookshop might be interested in the Bradbury yearbook. Bradbury was a great signer and signed thousands of books so they are usually very affordable. However, his yearbook would be scarce. It might be wasted on eBay.
Radon House first editions use a numbered like that will begin with the number '2'. There are also first editions that are not first printings quite often due to errors in the text.
Were getting the term "Fist Edition" confused with "First Printing." The number line being referred to is called the "Publisher's Key." Some Publisher's Keys us the alphabet CEGHJKIHFD = 3rd printing - Even the 12th printing can still be the 1st edition. It's the First Edition, regardless of how many times it may be printed. Collectors look for the Fist Printing of the First Edition. The term Fist Edition may be printed on the publisher's page on all printings and is no mistake. It's still the first edition, just not the first printing. - I think that book, "Pocket Guide to the identification of First Editions" by Bill McBride would be really cool to have. - Cheers
Spec Fo Good choices! Here are some of the editions of 1984 that we have listed: www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=orwell&bi=0&bx=on&ds=30&fe=on&pics=on&recentlyadded=all&sortby=20&tn=nineteen+eighty+four+OR+1984
Quite informative! Sir, which editor choose while buying if there are many editions of a book? Do editions really matter? I'd appreciate your help. Thanks in advance!
There will be many first editions of a popular book like that. The one that matters is the 'true first edition' - the first appearance of a title in print. After that there will be the first paperback edition, first illustrated edition, first British edition, first Australian edition, first Puffin edition, and so on.
My grandma has a collectors edition of the Count of Monte Cristo and you CAN TELL just by looking at it that it's special. I I found the book in question, paperback, for 5.61 claiming first edition. Can I trust it?
Hello! I have been using a video by AbeBooks that described Book Banning, but it now says the video is private. Is there a way I can get a copy of the video?
Ive just moved and am going thru my books. I had even pulled out a few to give away. Had a quick squiz at a couple and there was 5 first editions and 1 second edition that is almost 100 years old (id already decided to keep that one)
I cannot find a book exactly like "A Wonder-Book" For Young and Old by Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York:Bay View Publishing Co. The preface ends with: Lenox,July 15,1851. Found many copies that are "A Wonder Book" For Girls and Boys with Ticknor&Fields as the publisher. I have emailed a couple book sellers; but,no return message yet.
Hello, could you help me to know the year of a book? My grandma has a collection of books called signature classics. The one that I have right now is the phantom ricksaw. The publisher is Clute books, inc. Publishers New York and Washington, D.C. Printed in the USA
What about 1st editions that have been signed, highlighted or otherwise marked by previous owners? What id a first edition has a damaged dust-jacket but is otherwise in good condition? How do you appraise or value these kinds of books for sale or re-sale? Thanks.
There are so many. The first edition could be printed in January, the book is successful and further editions follow during the year, but they are not collectible. Could be condition. Could the presence of or lack of a dust jacket.
I have a book, Tennyson's Poems, leatherbound, with just a date in it. 1897-1900. Published by Thomas Y. Crowell & CO. Is it worth anything or a first edition?
hi, great vid, i have a question please. i'm checking out "god is everywhere" 1968, and it appears there are 2 styles of dust jackets, they both show a price in the corner inside page, is there a way to tell which one was original, and also, is it possible they made both originally? thanks and GOD BLESS
is it possible to tell if you have a first edition, first printing of an unopened book? the book i have is potentially more valuable if it remains unopened but i can't verify the printing otherwise. what should i do?
ugh, so i'll have to sacrifice opening it. does that really effect the value? i saw this exact book advertised as an unopened, 1st edition w/ its original box for $4,500. mine is mint, with original box, unopened but i'm just not sure after doing some research about how it was sent out when pre-ordered. apparently not everyone got a 1st edition though a lot of people did. i only haven't opened it because i was moving + feared it would get dirty + then got a reader copy b/c i got weird about it.
If there is a copyright date and nothing but a number printed under it does that mean its a first edition and the number under it denotes either a date or how many books had been printed so far?
Does anyone know how to identify a first edition of "Mike mulligan and his steam shovel"? A local bookshop has a good price on a claimed first edition, but there is no discernible information on the book itself. (No number line, "first edition" text or anything) The copyright page says "copyright, 1939, by Virginia Lee Demetrios. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this book or parts thereof in any form. Printed in the USA." The cover is offwhite and features the steam shovel on top of the title facing right (rather than coming out of the page as i have seen on other versions) Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I am not a collector but want to buy this book as a Christmas present.
I have 16 first edition Dr. Seuss Books and am having a hard time figuring out if they are first printings. They all have a Library of Congress Number. The Copyright dates are from 1957 to 1963. Is there something I can look for to identify whether or not it's a first printing. Thanks
Patricia zimbalatti - we don't appraise books but my advice to you is to search and compare similar copies on abebooks.com. Alternatively you could contact a rare book seller in your area. Thanks for watching!
Hi, I have a copy of The Silmarillion published in 1977, same year as release, says it is first edition however it also says that is published by Book Club Associates on behalf of Allen & Unwin, would this be a particularly valuable book? (Also has an unfoldable map from time of it's release)
The Silmarillion was firs published in 1977 by George Allen & Unwin Limited in either Australia or UK under ISBN13: 9780048231390 Then Published in the US in the same year by Houghton Mifflin under ISBN13: 9780395257302. One is the true fist edition and the other is the fist US edition. Even, if you had the first edition, would not mean you had the first printing. - Book Clubs often print first editions, using the ISBN's from the first editions, and even state they are first editions; however, that only means the format, story line and abridgement are that of the 1st edition. In reality, they are nothing but reprints. - Book Club editions can be identified and will normally be missing the price from the inside jacket flap as well as missing a lot of details from the publisher's page. Book Club editions will normally have no Publisher's Key. The list of things to identify a Book Club Edition is pretty lengthy and the Book Clubs attempt to break every rule.
I have a book whose title page indicates that it is a compilation of the world's best authors, incluuding personal sketch es of authors by Margaret M. Browning. It is also illustrated with "Full Page Half-Tones. The back of this page is blank except for the words--Copyright 1903 by L. G. STAHL. The following page is a table of contents wth a list of all the subjects to be covered and all the authors who have written poems for the different subjects. It was presented to my grandfather in 1904. I wonder if this book is a first edition. I am pretty sure it came from the USA, possibly Valparaiso University in Indiana.`
Hello, try searching for similar copies using the Advanced Search on AbeBooks.com. Input as much information as you can into your query, for example date published or publisher.
I got an edition of Harry Potter 3 that has the number line saying it's a first edition, however I looked it up and apparently it's meant to have an 'error' with some of the grammar on the first page but mine doesn't have that. What does this mean?
Hi Anthony Pikkaraine if you search for publisher + author name in our advanced search you might be able to find what you're looking for. www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchEntry
Who could forget The Hunchback of Notre-Dame? Try a web search of Victor Hugo volume 1 Don't forget the 1 at the end. It helps identify more volumes. Books printed before 1965 and even many printed after do not have SBN's or ISBN's
In this case, I don't know - there are thousands of publishers and they all have their own methods of indicating a first edition. Find another 'first edition' from the same publishing company and see if its got the same style number line. The fact there is two sets of numbers starting at 1 then I would bet that it is a true first edition.
I've often thought about selling all my books thru Abe Books, I'd actually love to talk with someone who can give me an accurate value of a yearbook I have. I have a 1937 Los Angeles H.S. yearbook. On page 7 is is written "From a future writer, to a future ?" he has drawn a cartoon of Himself and signed his name Ray Bradbury. I can't find any early signatures for Bradbury. Should I try Abebooks with this?? As it is a book lovers bookstore. Or ebay?? Thanks Keith
Thank you AbeBooks (I've loved you for years now!) and thank you Richard from AbeBooks for relaying this information so admirably! Beside acknowledging and appreciating your effort here, I was wondering - was it just me, or was anyone else amused by The Pocket Guide - that Richard refers to - being a sixth edition in this video on first editions? (Yes, I tend to be easily amused.....) :D
Hello and thanks for the video! It was helpful! I have a Napolean Hill Think and Grow Rich and I believe it's a first edition. It says "Copyright, 1937, by NAPOLEAN HILL All rights reserved." All of the books I see for sale online are printings, they will say March, 1937 -- 5000 copies, May, 1937 -- 10,000 copies, etc. My book does not saying anything about printings. Can you tell me what that means? Is this a unique kind of first edition? Thanks in advance for your response! DeAnna
Here is a first edition listing from one of our professional booksellers on AbeBooks.com, maybe you can use the description to help determine if yours might be the same. Alternatively you could use the "ask a bookseller a question" function to seek their expertise or take your book to a local rare book shop. www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=11120467087
I still need to find out how much money a book i have that was printed 1813.(long title) A Spring Day or Contemplations on several occurrences which naturally strike the eye in that delightful season by James Fisher, published in New York by George Lindsey No 192 Hester Street. I have several other books printed during that time period. one of them being printed in London.
Hi bantalee2002 we don't appraise books, but I'd recommend you contact a rare book seller in your area who might be able to help you. Here are the copies our sellers have listed on AbeBooks: www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=james+fisher&bi=0&bx=on&ds=30&kn=A+Spring+Day+or+Contemplations+on+several+occurrences+which+naturally+strike+the+eye+in+that+delightful+season&n=100121503&podbx=on&podrfn=on&recentlyadded=all&sortby=17&tn=A+Spring+Day+or+Contemplations+on+several+occurrences+which+naturally+strike+the+eye+in+that+delightful+season&x=0&y=0
Can someone please help me ... so I bought this Alice in wonderland book at Half Price Books and it’s a Limited Edition 226 copies but there no # and there’s a line across it. Can anyone tell me what that means?
Hi Laura, try searching for similar copies using the Advanced Search on AbeBooks.com. Input as much information as you can into your query, for example date published or publisher.
@AbeBooks, I'm inquiring about a book I'm trying to purchase on Amazon and the seller said that the number line on the book reads: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4 Now, from my understanding it's a First Printing, First Edition (what with the hefty price)... But what is the 1234 at the end of the date line? I don't want to spend my money if it isn't first print. Would you mind telling what is the 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4?
Hello Olga, we have a small list of appraisers on our site (www.abebooks.com/books/rarebooks/appraisers.shtml#uk) or find a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (UK) located near you and contact them (www.aba.org.uk/ABA-Members.aspx).
There often isn't any difference in the content of the book from edition to edition. However, sometimes the cover art will be different or an error corrected. For a reading copy of a book the edition shouldn't matter that much, but for a collector it can make a huge difference in the value of the book.
AbeBooks.com I see. So if a book is revised and if there were quite a few changes, be it corrections, label it as revised, would be better than second edition.?
Hi Carolyn, it's possible that by accident your default setting for youtube is mute. If you put your mouse over the lower left hand side of the video window do you see a sound icon, and can you slide the volume up? If not maybe it's a problem with your internet browser, try using a different program. For example, if you use internet explorer try Chrome or FireFox.
Thank you for your info on first additions. I am still trying to locate info on , what may be a first addition, The Gold Bug by Edgar Allen Poe. Brown leather backing. No edition info. Excellent shape. I would really like to sell this..
Hello! We are happy that this information helped you in your research of first editions. AbeBooks.com doesn't buy or appraise books, but what I would suggest is that you find a rare book seller near you and bring the book to them. They will be able to help you determine if it's a first edition and what the value is. Alternatively, you can search on AbeBooks.com for books similar to your copy and see what their value/edition are.
Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will find a book store in Orlando. Looked all over the web and couldn't find any thing like it. Appreciate your help.
Hi Rahul, usually the content doesn't change from edition to edition. However there are exceptions to that rule, for example if there was an error in a previous printing it would be corrected in later editions.
I honestly didn't know my Harry Potter and Anne Rice First PRINTING Edition books were valuable until yesterday. I almost sold them on Amazon for under 50 bucks each. Thank you, Google.
No guidebook on 1st eds or "Collected Books" by the Ahearns is ever gonna substiture for experience. Diagnosing a true 1st vs. a BCE is also a matter of knowing which publishers spew out mostly BCEs. I never bother selling BCEs and I wouldn't taint my reputation with them. If it states 1st ed but it's a BCE some sellers might list it as a STATED 1st ED which means they might not know or care if it is a true 1st. A first thus could also be the 1st English mutation of a non-English work, OR it could be the 1st time that particular publisher published that book. Clue to diagnosing a 1st in a FL could be volume. If title states 11 000 -20 000 for example, you know you're definitely NOT dealing with a 1st ed but most likely a 2nd ed. or a 2nd prtg of the 1st ed. The concept of a TRUE 1st ed is a matter of opinion for serialised books published later as a single volume. The difference here is semantics because technically every magazine and newpaper is a 1st edition, is it not.
i've got 5 first edition first printings of girl on the train all signed by the Author Paula Hawkins. hopfully they'll be worth something in 20 years lol
Hmmmmm.... I was hoping to find out about a couple of my books but this just confused me. 😂 One in particular has me truly stumped. I'm not even sure where I got it... It's called The Rubaiyát of Omar Khayyám and says Rendered into English Verse by Edward Fitzgerald First and Last Versions Illustrations by Hamzeh Abd-Ullah Kar The publishing page doesn't really tell me much either.. PUBLISHED BY THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY 2231 WEST 110TH STREET CLEVELAND • OHIO AB COPYRIGHT 1938 BY THE ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS COMPANY, INC. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA No numbers :(
You can use the advanced search on AbeBooks.com to see what our professional sellers have listed similar copies to yours for. Here are some examples I found: www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&kn=Hamzeh+Abd-Ullah+Kar&pn=THE+WORLD+PUBLISHING+COMPANY&recentlyadded=all&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=The+Rubaiy%E1t+of+Omar+Khayy%E1m
AbeBooks.com thank you. Most didn't have pictures but there was one with a black cover that is like mine on the list you provided. I wish they had provided more information but it'll have to do. Thanks again!
I wish to know if this book is valuable? the title is Some Literary Eccentrics by John Fyvie published 1906 no copyright number that I can find. Printed by T and A Constable. Edinburgh University Press.
Flanagan Maureen Hello! We have three copies on the site ranging from $16 - $25 dollars. www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=John+Fyvie&bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&pn=constable&recentlyadded=all&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=Some+literary+eccentrics&yrl=1906
So i watch this video and it told me the number line that is a first edition and i have that number line in a book of mine. It goes 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This 'First Edition Criteria' has become ridiculous. First of all, if one of the pages of the book has 'First Edition' printed, then it is a first edition book. Plain and simple. Secondly, if this nonsense wants to follow the first printing bullshit, then the most valuable book would be the first one ever made. For example, if 100 books were printed for the '1st Ed - 1st Print', then the "True first edition book' would be the one made with the first printed page #1 out of the hundred #1 printed pages; and so forth and so on, with the same logic. This is when it becomes ridiculous: trying to find out which was printed first. You'll never know! (Unless of course you work at the printing and bookbinding factory). Finally, here's another example of the first print criteria problem. A book has 2 first edition prints: the '1st Ed - 1st Print' has 1000 books, and the '1st Ed - 2nd Print' has 1500 books. Since it's all numerical, the '1st Ed - 1st Print - #987 book" would be closer to the '1st Ed - 2nd Print - #003 book', than to the '1st Ed - 1st Print - #001 book". All of this to be considered in terms of the 'what was really printed first' paradox.
