How do you tell if a book's a first edition?

Blisterman · 20-05-2005 2:42pm #1

See title
Ive got some old books and I thought they might be worth a bit, if they're first editions. The copyright page doesnt say "Reprinted xxxx" like most books

John · 20-05-2005 3:38pm

If it is a hardback and has only one year listed on the copyright page then it's more than likely a first edition. Hardback is not a strict rule. Be warned that it may be the fist English edition or the first American edition or whatever so be careful. Maybe search online for images of the books to see what the first editions look like.

Beebox · 20-05-2005 3:39pm

Is there a sequence of numbers in an inside page before the title? The number one indicates a first edition if it's to the further most right (or left depending on where the book is from).

For example:
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (US First Edition, 1 to left)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (Uk First Edition, 1 to right)

Don't know how you can tell otherwise.

Blisterman · 20-05-2005 4:40pm

Another question. Does first paperback edition mean anything for collectors?

John · 20-05-2005 5:24pm

I doubt it

How do you tell if a book's a first edition?

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