How to Identify a True First Edition Book

If you're looking to invest in rare books, it's very important to know how to identify a true first edition. This can be easier said than done, as many publishers do not indicate their first editions in any way, and publishers tend to have no set standard for identification. However, if you follow a few basic guidelines, many first editions, especially those printed in the 20th and 21st centuries, can be accurately identified.

In many cases, either "First Edition" or "First Printing" will be stated on the copyright page. Regardless of whether the edition is stated, any bookseller who is selling a genuine first edition online should always place the a picture of the copyright page within the listing, or should be willing to send pictures by email. A first edition is not necessarily a first printing. For example, the first edition first printing of Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson is a stated first, with no later printings mentioned. In the second printing of this book, both "First Edition" and "Second Printing" are stated.

However, there are many cases where the edition is not stated. In these cases, you can compare the date on the copyright page to the date on the title page. These dates are identical in a first edition. If it is a true first edition, there will be no later dates or printings mentioned.

There may be a number line on the copyright page. For a first edition, this generally reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1, or a variation thereof, usually ending in the number 1. Contraction of the number line to 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 generally indicates a second printing.

Also, you often must refer to "points of issue" to identify the edition, printing, and state of the book. Points of issue can include broken or battered type, a typo, a blurb which is present or missing on the dust jacket, or other unique identifying characteristics. This can be very difficult to assess correctly, as many books don't have the exact characteristics of one state or another, and are therefore referred to as "mixed state". Overall, though, a rare book will generally be more valuable the closer you can get to first edition, first printing, first state.

Always check the book you're interested in to ensure that it is the exact edition, printing and state you're wishing to purchase. Make sure you know who the publisher is, and the date. It's very easy to mistake a book for a first edition when it isn't, so use caution.

Also, be careful that your book is not a book club edition. Book club editions have specific differences from true first editions. For example, book club editions are printed in a smaller size, and often lack a bar code or a price. They're also often labeled as book club editions. This is not to be confused with a true first edition which mentions the book club edition by way of promotion. A good example of this type of book is The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway. The publisher mentioned on the inner front flap of the dust jacket that this book was a Book of the Month Club Main Selection. However it can be distinguished from a book club edition by the fact that it has the barcode and price on the dust jacket.

If you become confused as to whether the book you wish to purchase is a first edition or not, you can use a guide book. Bill McBride's "Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions" is an excellent resource. Another is First Editions: A Guide to Identification by Edward N. Zempel and Linda A. Verkler.

It's important to always use caution when purchasing a first edition, whether from a bookshop or online. Many people confuse later editions for first editions. Even professional booksellers make mistakes. When in doubt, reference guidebooks to see if that particular book is a true first edition. Keep in mind that there can be multiple first editions of a book. For example, there is often a first American edition, and a first UK edition, and these books have different values. Also, the book's condition affects its value, so keep this in mind as well.

As long as you do your homework, and shop wisely, you can be assured of selecting a true first edition every time.