First edition books book collecting

But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition. First edition the first appearance of an authors work in book form. Exercising knowledge, taste, and critical judgment, the book collector. 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.

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. 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. Raptis rare books is a trusted antiquarian book dealer, and we maintain a wide variety of collectible and antique books. Pollard wrote of book collecting in his famous essay in the 11 th edition of the encyclopedia britannica 1911. 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. 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. There remains some attraction in identifying with the. A basic guide to all aspects of book collecting was freshly updated in 2010. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. 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. When the supply of the first printing or impression runs low, and the publisher needs more copies a second printing is done. 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. Print runs are a way for collectors to identify which first edition is truly the.

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. Neither the collector nor the curator can be content to keep a mere curiosity shop. It is a complicated subject, the book collecting definition of first edition being first edition, first printing. Includes images and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of first editions. 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. As an example, the conventional wisdom first edition the cat in the hat, with the 200200 on the. This is often the case with nonfiction, especially historical works and narratives of travel and exploration. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed rare. 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.

John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to. Collecting ian fleming first edition books rare and. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary from publishing house to publishing house. The desire to acquire first editions could be considered the backbone of the book collecting world. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. The definition of a first edition depends on who you are talking to. 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 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. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill. Books from your childhood, books about space, your favourite fiction series, books published by a.

Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. Some books are published in such huge quantities that first editions are very common. Firsts provides an entry into the entertaining and enlightening world of book collecting. As is often the case for new authors, many of the first edition of their books are distributed to libraries. We are always looking for first 1st edition books in hardback, we buy single books or large collections. Firsts magazine has been the premier publication in its field for more than 20 years. Jul 31, 20 adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. Learn the basics of first edition identification for book collectors.

Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book. The first edition refers to a books first printing run. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr. Each book thats published, of course, has a first edition. 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.

John grisham 1st edition books for sale in stock ebay. In publishing terms, an edition is technically all copies of a book. Rowlings birth name before she took a pen name and a. If youre looking for first edition or rare childrens books online, youve come to the right place. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection. Well also provide tips on determining whether your book is a first. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. A new chapter for rare book collecting books the guardian. Adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. 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 a collection of book collections. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number. 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. If not, the fact that its a first edition doesnt matter.

We venture to say that no other piece of terminology has caused so much contention among booksellers and collectors as that of first edition. In most cases, however, you will want to stay away from book club editions if you are trying to build a book collection. 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. Oct 23, 2015 collecting ian fleming first edition books. 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.

Collectors distinguish between a first edition the first printing of a book and a modern first edition which moreorless applies to books printed. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Subsequent printings would be, for example, a 2nd printing but not a first edition. As you start collecting books, youll start hearing terms like first edition, first printing, first edition thus, and so on. 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. 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. A new chapter for rare book collecting this article is more than 8 years old.

Identifying and collecting first editions the hobbit first edition by j. 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. But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run. Blog with first edition idenfication points for key books, notes on book prices, and general topics related to collecting childrens picturebooks. 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. Free searchable database of first edition pulitzer prize for fiction books. 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. 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. 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. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. Jul 15, 20 millions of books have been published over hundreds of years.

Millions of books have been published over hundreds of years. Basic guide to book collecting abebooks shop for books. 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. 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. If you have any old, secondhand or rare books, then get in touch. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. This is often the case with nonfiction, especially historical works and narratives of travel. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. Flemings bond books are perhaps the most popular and iconic thriller series ever produced. You will find an ever growing list of book titles and their important points of. Publishers will deem a book a first edition if no major read more. 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. Mar 28, 2012 a new chapter for rare book collecting this article is more than 8 years old.

You can collect any kind of books but make sure that you collect books that you love. First editions are sought after by collectors of all kinds. Rare and antiquarian books can be surprisingly valuable. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. To find out more about what a first edition book is and why its. 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. The first edition refers to a book s first printing run. Today in book collecting 101, were talking about identifying first edition books. 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.

But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies. Publishers, bibliographers, researchers and librarians use the term first edition to mean a book reprinted without changes. The first edition was published in 1941 by harcourt, brace and company. In the modern private collection, the need for a central idea must be fully recognized. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Collecting ian fleming first edition books rare and antique. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition.

The first comprehensive free online guide dedicated to identifying first edition books, as well as collectible and rare books. Within the first printing there can be differences that make the earlier books in the printing more. Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog of the. Now published bimonthly, it is an invaluable resource for book collectors. Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book hobby and other general book collecting related information. A very general rule in book collecting is that the first edition is the most desirable, but there are exceptions. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want to know which one is superior. Whether youre just starting out or a collector of many years standing, youll find something. Understanding why do people collect first editions books.

Are the books on your shelves or in your grandparents attic worth. Since world war ii, books often include a number line printers key that indicates the print run. However, for a first edition to have value, there must be a demand for it. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. 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. 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.

Blog the first edition rare books rare books by notable people. 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. 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. A blog about the reasons why do people collect first editions books. In the modern private collection, the need for a central idea must be. Sep 04, 2015 in many cases, serious book collectors are after first editions. 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. How to store books safely the new antiquarian the blog of. That is because a first edition is the very first copy of a book to be published for sale, which often. Since it is now easy to accumulate all of the books written by an author in first edition to tick them off, as. 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. In most cases, however, you will want to stay away from book club. The term first edition holds different meanings for publishers and for collectors.