First Edition or Reprint
When is a first edition not a first edition?
Answer: When it’s a reprint of course
This seems fairly simple, as indeed it should be, some people seem not to have grasped the priciple though.
After all the mentions of true first edition etc, you may just notice the mention of 25th print at the bottom.
So far from being collectable, this is a worthless Harry Potter paperback, not even worth the cost of the postage they are charging.
Why then put it in the gallery ?, a £12+ listing fee, well, some naive or half-witted bidder will buy this for a great deal more than it is worth.
So the lesson for us here is that in ebayland there is no such thing as a reprint, everything is a first edition, even if it is actually a 25th edition.. Sorry my mistake 1st edition, 25th impression
I recommend visiting this other article on this site with far more information in the comments, any questions you have will be answered somewhere here
Rod said,
May 1, 2006 @ 7:11 pm
We’re off again ! The same seller has another in listed in the gallery.
26th edition this time !
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE!
First Edition
PAPERBACK
BLOOMSBURY. LONDON. 1997
You are bidding on a TRUE 1ST EDITION OF THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE!
This is a true “1st Edition”. The book is in near FINE condition, pages are very clean and well bound, with NO inscriptions.
As a true 1st edition, and the rare signs of an early print,26th, which includes the YOUNG WIZARD on the back cover, rather than the grey haired wizard.
The name JOANNE ROWLING is on the copyright page as a text error. That was later changed to J.K ROWLING at her request as she wanted to appeal to both male and female readers, and could have been advised that boys didn’t read books if they knew they were written by a female author…..
It also comes complete with the very rare winner of the smarties gold award sticker.
CC said,
December 3, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
I was wondering if my harry potter book is of any value, it’s a harback copy of the goblet of fire 2000, the copyright page says:
The moral right of the author has been asserted
A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the
British Library
ISBN 0 7475 4624 X
Printed in Great Britain by Omnia Books Limited, Glasgow
Typset by Dorchester Typesetting
First Edition
Rod said,
December 3, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Hi CC
sadly as they printed so many it’s of little value I’m afraid.
I gave the last 2 I had away !
Cheers
Rod
Stuart Smart said,
August 24, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Hi,
I am trying to find out about my copy of the Sourcerer’s stone. I understand the numbering system I see on your site but mine seems to be different and am hoping you could explain
30 29 28 9/9 0/0 01 02
Printed in the USA 37
First American edition, October 1998
Am I right in assuming this is a 37th print run
Rod said,
August 24, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Hi Stuart.
I only deal in UK first editions I’m afraid so I’m not aware of issue points etc on US editions - sorry about that
Best
Rod
paul said,
July 4, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
Hi Rod
I’ve just bought The order of the phoenix and the Deathly Hallows both have first editions
Are they worth anything or not as i imagine they where printed in great volumes.
I look forward to your reply, I bought them in a charity shop for £3 each.
Rod said,
July 5, 2010 @ 7:19 am
Hi Paul,
you’re right in your assumptions and what you paid
All the best
Rod
jo hooper said,
November 6, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
hi was wondering about my book
its harry potter and the philosophers stone with the young wizard on the back and joanne rowling in the cover but the code is 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33,
am presuming its a reprint, but is it worth anything,
could you let me know asap please
thanks jo
Rod said,
November 6, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
£1
Beth said,
November 13, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
I have a deluxe edtion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which I bought off Ebay a few years ago as a first edition. However, it doesn’t have a sticker on the book saying first edition. Is there any way of knowing if it is actually a first edition without taking the shrink wrapping off?
Rod said,
November 14, 2010 @ 9:19 am
I Beth,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site - there’s no way of telling without removing the film I’m afraid.
Kind regards
Rod
Mia said,
February 3, 2011 @ 12:23 pm
Hello Rod,
I have first edition copies of all 7 Harry Potter books, 1, 2 and 3 are signed by the Author and Illustrator 4,5,6 and 7 are signed by just the Illustrator. I have a certificate of Authenticity for all of them, stating that they are indeed first editions and that the signatures are real.
Should I ensure them?
Mia
Rod said,
February 3, 2011 @ 6:55 pm
Mia,
if they’re as you say they are then insurance should be a consideration - it’s personal matter though - do you want to risk it or not . . . only you can decide
Regards
Rod
Rod said,
May 24, 2011 @ 6:04 pm
I’ve closed this thread now due the multiple requests a day for valuations.
Check out this other article I wrote and all the questions answered afterwards in comment form - the answer to your question will in all probability be there.
Regards
Rod
Harry Potter Information