flacrawdad
kickbox
I am trying to find out, if any of my books are 1st editions. Does anyone know how to tell or a website that can help me? Thanks
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How To Tell 1st Edition Books
- Thread starter flacrawdad
- Start date
RobertM
New Member
First Editions are a great part of any book collection, but sometimes I think they are overrated. Most publishers now offer signed First Editions for a premium fee, so they are not so difficult to obtain now.
In the 'old days' you had to search out a first edition and then attend a signing to have one of these books.
I have a ton of books (literally, I think) and there are only two signed first editions. Of course, they are practically worthless because I read the heck out of them. One is '2010' and the other is 'Again, Dangerous Visions', which was signed by Harlan Ellison. The first I got from an old bookstore/former Wild West tavern in Washington State. The other I got from a private collector.
Ha...I had them out of the plastic in minutes. The former owners would have been aghast. I asked both of them if they had ever actually READ the books.
"No...of course not!"
Well, they are both a little more worn now. I don't care.
In the 'old days' you had to search out a first edition and then attend a signing to have one of these books.
I have a ton of books (literally, I think) and there are only two signed first editions. Of course, they are practically worthless because I read the heck out of them. One is '2010' and the other is 'Again, Dangerous Visions', which was signed by Harlan Ellison. The first I got from an old bookstore/former Wild West tavern in Washington State. The other I got from a private collector.
Ha...I had them out of the plastic in minutes. The former owners would have been aghast. I asked both of them if they had ever actually READ the books.
"No...of course not!"
Well, they are both a little more worn now. I don't care.
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
The easiest way is the check inside the title page, as Peronel suggested. Just watch for reprintings - it could be a second reprinting but in the same year as the original printing.
...I had them out of the plastic in minutes. The former owners would have been aghast. I asked both of them if they had ever actually READ the books.
"No...of course not!"
Well, they are both a little more worn now. I don't care.
You mean people actually collect books as objects? That's a bit like collecting paintings and never looking at them!
I can't get excited about first editions myself - I buy books to read, whether a pristine first edition or a battered paperback copy for 50 pence. I did buy one recently - although I only realised that it was a 'first' after I'd bought it, and the only reason it excited me was that it cost £4 and it probably would have been four times the price elsewhere!
nick_m100
New Member
Your right
I do find it a bit odd that people would buy a book with absolutely no intention of reading it, like buying a condo for a dead relative, serves no real purpose and doesn't get used. Also plastic is generally bad for books, when it decays it sticks to the book and damages the cover.
I do find it a bit odd that people would buy a book with absolutely no intention of reading it, like buying a condo for a dead relative, serves no real purpose and doesn't get used. Also plastic is generally bad for books, when it decays it sticks to the book and damages the cover.
BooknaMug
New Member
I agree that its a bit strange to have books to look at and not read. However, if I was able to get a first-edition or signed copy of one of my all-time favorites, I'd probably get it as a collector's item and not read it. But I would still keep my other copy to read and the signed one would just be something like a memento.
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
When I get older I want to collect antique books - they just look so beautiful.
neuropolitique
New Member
It really depends on the publisher.
In modern books there is a line of numbers along the bottom of the copyright page. The lowest number printed is the print run. So if there is a 1, it is likely a first edition, if a three is the lowest number you probably have a book from the 3rd run.
However, there is one publisher out there that starts the numbers with a 2, but will include a First Edition designator on the same page.
Be sure to also check the copyright date. Subsequent printings by other publishers will also be designated First Edition, as it is for that edition.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately. Determining First Editions is tricky, even more so for older works.
As others have already said, unless you are willing to spend a great deal for them, or are a dealer, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
In modern books there is a line of numbers along the bottom of the copyright page. The lowest number printed is the print run. So if there is a 1, it is likely a first edition, if a three is the lowest number you probably have a book from the 3rd run.
However, there is one publisher out there that starts the numbers with a 2, but will include a First Edition designator on the same page.
Be sure to also check the copyright date. Subsequent printings by other publishers will also be designated First Edition, as it is for that edition.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately. Determining First Editions is tricky, even more so for older works.
As others have already said, unless you are willing to spend a great deal for them, or are a dealer, I wouldn't worry too much about it.