How to tell if a book is a first edition
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What’s a first edition book?
The first edition of a book is the original commercially released version. In other words, it’s the book’s debut — the very first copies readers got their hands on.While there’s a tidy, high-level definition of a first edition, there are a bunch of qualifiers to consider, too. All copies of a book that share the initial typesetting fall into the first edition category, even if they’re part of a second print run (these are called first editions, second printings). And if a publisher first releases a book in hardcover and then in paperback, the paperback is a first edition too, but known as a “first edition thus.”So what’s not considered a first edition? Any edition after the first that makes significant changes to the text. These later editions are numbered after every round of changes, i.e., second editions, third editions, and so on. And the distinctions don’t stop there: Not everyone has the same definition of a first edition. Some book lovers don’t consider a second printing of a first edition to be a true first edition. For sticklers, only the first chronological print run — known as the first printing book — qualifies.Why are first edition books valuable?
First editions are so valuable because they’re hard to come by. Publishers often do small print runs at first to see if a book will sell well, only printing more copies if it does.And if a book turns into a literary sensation, first editions become more valuable. Readers want one of those rare copies, and everyone has their reasons why. For some, the text is close to their hearts. For others, collecting unique books is a hobby or profession, and the object itself is something of value.How much does a first edition book cost?
Not all first editions are as valuable as others. Factors like the literary or historical fame of the text and the book’s condition influence the cost significantly. Market demand also impacts the price.For example, an old copy of an important text preserved in near-mint condition will be more expensive than the first edition of the same book in a poor state or of a less famous book in great shape. And if there are only a few existing copies of a book left in the world, costs can skyrocket into the millions. To put things in perspective, Geoffery Chaucer’s first edition (1477) of the Canterbury Tales sold for over $7 million. But not all first editions cost a fortune, either. You might be able to find a beautiful first edition of a famous contemporary novel or poetry collection for a few hundred dollars or less, depending on the demand. And if the book was never widely famous, you’re likely to find that first edition on sale or sold second-hand.How to identify a first edition book
So you’re holding onto an edition you believe could be a gem. How can you tell if this seemingly rare copy is actually rare? Identifying first edition books isn’t always a straightforward task. If you’re planning on making a major investment, it’s smart to buy through a reputable rare book seller that guarantees authenticity. You could also have a professional book appraiser take a look before you buy.But you can also get a good idea of what edition a book is by checking a few key indicators. Here’s how to spot a first edition book.Copyright date
You can sometimes tell whether a book is a first edition just by looking at the copyright date. Open the book to the copyright page and compare the date there against the one of the text’s first release. You can usually find a book’s original release date on the publisher or author’s website. And if the years are the same, you may have a first edition on your hands.Publisher
Publishing companies have different ways of marking first edition books, and some older ones didn’t do so consistently or at all. So if you’re assessing an older book (before the 20th century), you’ll want expert help. But if you’re evaluating a newer book, start by researching how the publisher marks their first editions — info you can usually find online. Some publishers clearly print “first edition” or “first printing” on the title or copyright page, while others use a number line to identify a first edition.Number lines
Books often have a string of numerals on the copyright page, known as a number line, that details the edition sequence. Publishers have different ways of generating number lines. For some, a first edition is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10, and for others, 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. And there are countless other variations, which can make interpreting number lines pretty confusing. If you can figure out how the publisher uses number lines to signal a first edition, then you have another clue for identifying the book.Popular first edition books
While all first edition books are special in their own right, some take the second-hand market by storm. Religious texts, ancient manuscripts, medieval works, and the following literary hits are at the top of some collector’s lists.
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
With prices on first editions of this Jazz Age classic soaring into the hundreds of thousands, The Great Gatsby has earned its place at the world’s most prestigious auctions. Not only do collectors appreciate the historical significance of this novel, they also covet it for the aesthetics. Versions with the 1925 dust jacket, featuring an enigmatic set of eyes peering through a blue background, are particularly sought after. Trying to spot a real one? The most valuable editions contain the original printed price of two dollars and specific vocabulary choices later removed by publishers.
2. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
First editions of Daniel Defoe’s 1917 series Robinson Crusoe are now over 300 years old, and very few of those original copies have weathered the test of time. Finding a version of that famed three-book set in good condition will cost you—to the tune of $150,000. Key characteristics of legitimate first editions include a red cover with gold patterning and mention of the initial publisher: W. Taylor at the Ship in Paternoster Row. These coveted copies also contain several indicative spelling errors, like “pilate” for “pilot” and "Portugnese" for "Portuguese.” Finally, look out for four pages of advertisements at the back of the book.
3. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol flew off the shelves when it came out in 1843, selling out within five days. Within about a year, the publisher released 13 more editions, making the first one incredibly rare and a book buyer's dream. Some of the telltale signs of a first edition of A Christmas Carol include hand-colored steel engravings and woodcuts, plus a green plate printing of Marley’s ghost.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
First editions of To Kill a Mockingbird aren’t quite as hard to find or expensive as other collectables, but that doesn’t mean people cherish them less. This book, about a prejudiced legal trial in the 1930s American South, is one of the most famed pieces of 20th-century literature, beloved by educators, book clubs, and Harper Lee fans alike.Originals have the 1960 print date, an orange-and-black dust jacket, a back-cover photo of the acclaimed writer (taken by Truman Capote, nonetheless), and the original price on the front flap. The initial print run was a mere 5,000 copies, and with many stocking library shelves, editions in good condition are difficult to find.
5. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Finding a first edition of Alice and Wonderland is almost as hard as understanding the book’s wild plot itself. First editions of this story have earned mythical status on the collector’s market.This first printing is so hard to spot because Lewis Carroll pulled the print run after an estimated 23 advanced copies came off the press — copies that the writer planned to give to friends as gifts. Carroll pulled the run because the illustrator was unhappy with the quality of the images and insisted they be reprinted. Now, if one of those original 1865 copies shows up at auction, it goes for millions. And with institutions holding onto most copies, there are only five known privately held editions.The first edition is virtually impossible to find “in the wild,” and it’s hard to spot, since it has a red cover with gold details like some of the editions that followed. If you stumble upon one of those later printings, you’re not entirely out of luck — the first few are all valuable, and even fifth editions can go for hundreds of dollars.Enjoy all of the classics on Everand
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