What is a First Edition Book ?
What Exactly Defines a Real First Edition Book ?
You’d be forgiven for being confused nowadays but hopefully this will clear things up a little for you
The purpose of this article is not to tell you How to Identify a First Edition but what actually constitutes a true first edition.
A first edition is the first time that complete text appeared in full in print.
Everything that appears subsequently is effectively a reprint
Books described using terms such as 1st edition 3rd impression are merely reprints or later printings.
Value & Collectability of Reprints or Later Impressions
This is where things start to get iniquitous. The last few years has seen a growing trend, largely fuelled on the auction site eBay, of the selling and promoting of reprints as collectable 1sts.
In 99.99% of cases for a book to have any value beyond it’s readable worth then it has to be a first edition. New collectors, or people looking to buy books for others, should not be fooled into thinking that the 37th impression of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien is remotely collectable or of any material worth.
There are a few books which are either so rare or so expensive that they do have value as reprints, later issues, second impressions or the like.
Simply put, a collector can justify paying a reasonable sum for a book in a dust jacket that they may simply never be able to locate otherwise.
Likewise, the collector on a budget may, for example, have bought several of the later Ian Fleming titles but simply cannot, or will not, run to the considerable expense of Casino-Royale. This then makes later printings a viable alternative - but again don’t get carried away.
What Should I Pay for Later Printings ?
If the book falls into the above categories then a good rule of thumb for an early printing would be about 10% of what the true 1st might fetch.
There is some flexibility and latitude here of course but I would suggest not a great deal.
If they book is not particularly rare or very valuable then later impression should be treated as reading copies in terms of value, i.e. pay no more than you feel it is worth to read
Exceptions Fiction and No-Fiction
Non-fiction books are slightly different as often a later edition can be revised and be of more use and interest. But as these books tend to be bought largely for their content as opposed to merely collectable and desirable objects this nullifies the point somewhat and need not muddy the waters of these basic principals
What Is the Difference Between Impression - Printing - Issue etc
For the purpose of this article very little.
When a publishers prints a book that sells well and there is demand for more copies they will reprint the volume. Various houses will attach different terms, mostly meaning much the same.
Some will say for example:
-
Second Impression 1955
others may use
-
Reprinted 1955
Neither term makes any difference in terms of value of collectable interest.
There are some technical differences sometimes between the terms but these apply mostly to non-fiction or scholarly works.
The hot bed for this misleading selling is unquestionably eBay. A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon, some just innocently following the trend others are being blatantly deceptive.
Auction headings that scream True UK First Edition 1/1 in the title and headline only to casually mention later on, usually in smaller print, that it is a 37 printing are frankly disgraceful.
I just went to eBay and looked in the gallery for an example and this screamed out in the auction title and huge text in the auction:
 ULTRA RARE TRUE 1st Edition/1st ImpressionHARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS The numberline is as follows: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Signifying a True 1st Edition/1st Impression 
|
The publisher is given as Ted Smart !
This is a reprint not a Bloomsbury first edition !
JRR Tolkien also provides countless similar examples:
a 1963 19th Impression set of Lord of the Rings is not a collectors item.
Here’s an Example
|
Lord of the Rings Very Rare True UK 1sts then a load of waffle and this 1st editions, 8th, 5th and 4th impressions respectively
|
For a simple rule of thumb …
A UK first edition is the first time that the book was published UK !
Everything printed after that in the UK is a reprint - however the term be dressed up !
Don’t be conned or mislead - you have been warned - don’t buy a worthless pup !
If you’ve come to this via search engines I hope it helps - you can leave comments or questions below
Rod Collins
Goldeneye Rare Books
Little Brother said,
December 1, 2007 @ 11:48 pm
Rod,
Very informative, just when I thought you had gone all serious on us I saw the Christmas card-You wouldn’t get that for 29p!!
LB (apologies for private joke)
Rod said,
December 2, 2007 @ 9:51 am
LB
thanks for that, it’s a very interesting article that I’m sure all my visitors will just love
RC
Craig said,
December 2, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
Seems that eBay Powerseller ********* is also someone who uses dubious language to sell books. Check out his feedback for the TRUE 1sts of Ian Fleming
Rod said,
December 3, 2007 @ 8:55 am
Craig
absolutely, quite a regular at it that one !
I can’t help but think that just a few people give sections a bad name and consequently ruin it for genuine sellers
Best
Rod
ADRIAN said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:54 am
I have six UK first edition Ian Fleming books but the jackets are not in the best condition,does the condition of the dust jackets play such an important part in the price or is the fact that it is a genuine first edition more important?
One of the books (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) has an inscription inside- To Phyllis, many happy returns Ian.
The hand writing looks identical to examples on your site, how would i be able to authenticate this as being written by Ian Fleming?
What kind of price should i be looking for, for these books?
Rod said,
June 12, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Hi Adrian
thanks fo rthe comment and welcome to the site
Jacket condition dramatically affects the value of Ian Fleming first editions.
The signed copy is less important as if the book is nice then another jacket can easily be found.
Comparing the writing to these examples we have of signed Ian Fleming first editions should give you a good idea.
But for something definite then you need expert opinion and valuation.
We can’t value books online I’m afraid Adrain as it’s impossible both technically and also realistically given the number of requests we get every day via various other sites
Regards
Rod
Nigel said,
June 21, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Rod, When you say that another jacket can easily be found, are you specifically referring to OHMSS, for which a 2nd impression jacket is identical to the 1st, and which is reasonably plentiful, or that you have a ready source for most/all Fleming jackets?
Rod said,
June 21, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Nigel
later Ian Fleming 1st editions are plentiful and relatively cheap so buying on in with a nice jacket to marry to a signed copy makes a great deal of financial sense.
Providing of course that the book will take the marriage
Rod
Vicki said,
August 13, 2009 @ 6:26 am
I have a set of Lord of the Rings 3 books in dust jackets, 8th, 6th, and 5th impressions respectively, UK editions, but are they not collector’s items since they are not the first impression? I am just wondering in general about the value of this type of edition. Thanks!
Rod said,
August 14, 2009 @ 7:53 am
Hi Vicki,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site
my personal opinion is that as they are rerints their value is very limited, thta said somebody on eBay deem them more collectable than perhaps they are
Cheers
Rod
mick said,
November 26, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
hi rod I am a fan of alistair maclean storys, and have started to collect them,could you give me any tips on identifying how collins mark there first editions, as I have seen a couple of different wordings and am confused, thanks
Rod said,
November 26, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
Hi Mick,
welcome to the site - Collins are generally very good so it makes Alistair Maclean pretty easy.
They generally have the date to the bottom of the title page and often verson on the copyright page. If it’s a reprint then they’re generally clearly stated as so.
I’ve got some on stock if you want any - all guaranteed first of course
Email: rod@goldeneyebooks.com
Hope this helps
All the best
Rod
Michael said,
February 17, 2010 @ 4:51 am
Hi Rod,
I’m a volunteer with an Australian charity. I believe I’ve turned up a 1st edition/1st version copy of Ian Fleming’s Live and Let Die amongst our donations. “First printed 1954″ on the verso page, no other editions/printings stated there, no jacket design credit, as required by all the descriptions I’ve been able to find.
However, our appraiser has raised a question mark over the rear cover, which has reviews of Casino Royale followed by the words “Second Impression 10 s 6d”. I believe this is most likely simply a reference to the price of the second impression of Casino Royale, the statement of the impression necessitated by the fact that it’s first impression was a different price. Our appraiser disagrees, and thinks our book is a later, much less valuable 2nd impression of Live and Let Die. The fact that Live and Let Die was also priced at 10s 6d confuses things somewhat.
Would you care to weigh in?
Out of curiousity, would a second impression ever be specified on the dust jacket like this without being stated on the verso/copyright page?
Given the thousands of dollars at stake, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael.
Rod said,
February 18, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Hi Michael,
you’re right (appraiser wrong), it is a true 1st issue and the info on the back panel is as it should be.
From what you say it’s all good !
All the best
Rod
Mandy said,
April 21, 2010 @ 10:59 pm
hi there. I was wondering about my Harry Potter book. I was thinking of selling it, but am confused now and not sure if I should sell it or not.
Its Harry Potter and the goblet of fire.by J k rowling, Hard back.
Inside the front cover it says- first published in great britain in 2000 bloomsbury publishing plc 38 soho square london- copyright 2000 JK Rowling
ISBN 0 7475 4624 X and printed by Omnia books Glasgow and numbers 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
Can you tell me something about it please.
Thank you.
Mandy.
Rod said,
April 22, 2010 @ 6:26 am
HI Mandy,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site - we don’t normally do appraisals here because it will get bombarded but in your case . . .
Can you tell me something about it please.
It’s a reprint I’m afraid Mandy and has no real value beyond its readability
Sorry to disappoint and hope you’ll return to the site
All the best
Rod
Mandy said,
April 22, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Hi there Rod, and thanks for your answer about the book, but I have to confess, I dont really care about the book, I have no interest in books really, and Harry Potter isn’t even readable !! it,s a load of rubbish. No it was YOU who caught my attention. Your as sexy as hell !!
Now, Im not sure if this type of comment is allowed but I will take my chances anyways, and Im not a stalker btw.
I wonder if your too modest to print this?
Ahh you know you will, just looking at your pictures, you love to pose !!
Well Ill wait to see, and Im glad this is a real site, with you really getting back to people, thats a first to be honest with you.
A man with a real site, and a real knowledge about books, I think lol, but I have no real knowledge in this area, so who can one believe?
I wish you well with your site, and hope that the personal comments are taken well by you. Ahh you know you will as it will only help to make you a highly sought after human book machine who has all the answers, and dares to confront those scamming e bayers. Its about time too.
BTW why is it that my spam number always adds up to a very unlucky number ???
Mandy.
Rod said,
April 23, 2010 @ 8:36 am
Hi Mandy
I suspect you’re right about Harry Potter - I have to say my interest in them stems from a few years ago and that was because I used to make money selling them
Thanks for the kind words
and it is indeed a ‘real site’ - it’s a good point to make actually.
There’s so much nonsense and fake stuff on the internet . . . I think one of the reasons the site has become popular is that people can see it’s real and everything is open and honest.
The random spam numbers could be like Runes Mandy - spooky !
All the best
Rod
Mandy said,
April 23, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Hi again Rod, Nah I don,t think its anything as mystical as the Runes, but could be as I just bet everyones adds up to 13, Now thats SPOOKY Rod.
:) Mandy
Rod said,
April 23, 2010 @ 5:29 pm
Mandy,
mine adds up to 4 for this one which is less than my shoe size but greater than my IQ
Cheers
Rod
Mandy said,
April 28, 2010 @ 1:08 am
Hi Rod .Just little tiny feet. aww, Well mine added up to 17 this time, so whats that, large feet or a Whopping IQ ?
:)
Rod said,
April 28, 2010 @ 8:33 am
Mandy
I’d go for the IQ - more use and it’ll save a few cows over a lifetime in shoe leather
Cheers
Rod
Neil Gaiman Fan said,
May 8, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
Hi Rod
Can I ask for some advice on a book please. The item in question is Anansi Boys published by Review (a division of Headline Book Publishing, I assume). There is no edition printing line but instead states:
First published in Great Britain in 2005 by REVIEW.
An imprint of Headline Book Publishing
and under this is the single number “3″
Does the 3 indicate this is a third printing/edition?
Thanks for your help
Rod said,
May 8, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
NGF,
I’ve not seen the book but what you say would seem to be correct, it’s a third edition/printing
Best
Rod
Duffy said,
June 20, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
Hi Rod,
I’m brand new to this and intrigued! Ya’ll have a language all to yourselves. I have found a book that appears to be a first edition but fifth impression. All of the impressions were done between September and November of the same year, 1899. The book is really a compilation of correspondence between J.P. FitzPatrick in South Africa and England. The book is The Transvaal From Within. How does this affect the value of the book? What if the letters were printed in a news paper?
Thanks from across the pond,
Duffy
Rod said,
June 21, 2010 @ 8:26 am
Hi Duffy,
it affects the value considerably as it was reprinted 4 times before yours was printed therefore not a first edition in collectability terms. That said it looks interesting and I would hang onto it if I were you
All the best
Rod
Duffy said,
June 22, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Hi Rod,
Thanks for the feed back. Yes, I will hang on to it. I am now obsessed with finding out about the label on the inside cover! It was awarded to a Mr. Hugh Howat 28th November, 1899. I want to find out who he was. Anyways, If I could pick your brain a little more? I have a couple of other books that I really want to protect. One is a World War Two army issue bible and the Christmas card given to my Grandfather when he enlisted. It will not leave the family so value doesn’t matter, just preservation. What would you suggest?
Simon said,
June 23, 2010 @ 3:25 am
Hi,
Do Ian Fleming Bond novels always state the impression on the verso page. Specifically, if ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ only has ‘first printed 1962′ is it a true 1st/1st?
Simon.
Rod said,
June 23, 2010 @ 7:37 am
Hi Simon,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site. I’ve written two detailed Ian Fleming bibliographies online.
The link below will answer all your questions - click on the title of the book for full information
All the best
Rod
http://www.booksellerworld.com/ian-fleming.htm
Simon said,
June 27, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Thanks Rod,
A great resource you have going there. Just one question, what do you mean by ‘no other issue points to book’?
Simon.
Rod said,
June 28, 2010 @ 7:49 am
Simon,
issue points are something that differentiates one book from another when both appear to be first editions. You may get a book and jacket which appear exactly to be a first but, for example, the cloth colour is slightly different etc.
Issue points tend to be more of a ‘thing’ with older books
Best
Rod
Tiffany said,
December 20, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Hello, I recently bought a UK 1st edition, fifth impression of George Orwell’s 1984. I noticed that you mentioned that a few books of value are worth the price. I bought it for $80 US. Was it worth it? The dust sleeve and all its features mirror first edition photos I have found. Could it mean that it was a fifth printing of the first, thus still making it a first edition version?
Thanks for your time.
Tiffany
Rod said,
December 20, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
I Tiffany,
thanks for th ecomment and welcome to the site.
1984 is one of the books in which early reprints or of some value because the 1st edition is quite expensive then an early reprint such as yours does have some commercial value - though I cannot value books online I’m afraid.
It is not a first edition though Tiffany, there is only one first edition as far as collectable books go and that is the first time it’s published - this was published four times before your edition so . . .
Regards
Rod
marcus said,
May 26, 2012 @ 9:25 am
Hi Rod.
I have recently acquired a paperback copy of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams. From the bit of research I have done, I beleive that it is a true first edition. The book is very good condition apart from the pages browning, the book actually looks unread. On the copyright page it states that it was ‘first published 1979 by Pan Books Ltd.’ there is no metion of any further printings. It has also been inscribed inside ‘To Jackie. Douglas Adams, and to the rear of the book it has a leaflet advertising the book on LP.
Would you be able to tell me if this is at all collectable? I beleive that it is probably worth more than the £1 I paid for it in a charity shop.
Thanks
Marcus
Rod said,
May 26, 2012 @ 4:26 pm
Hi Marcus,
it does pre-date the Arthur Barker hardback so it is the true first, that said the hardback is the one most collectors want, should be worth a good bit more than you paid though
Best
Rod
Rod said,
May 26, 2012 @ 4:27 pm
Comments now closed on this particular thread
Sorry