Tolkiens the hobbit and t he lord of the rings trilogy are some of the most iconic and sought after first editions books on the market today. Deluxe signed limited first edition, with 51 fullcolor mounted plates by rackham, number 5 of only 250 copies signed by rackham, one of the smallest limitations for a rackham title and the first book. Of course, theres the messy little business of variants and issue points which arent covered in this book, but still, we have collected books for that, so this completes our first edition identification library, right. Browse through our inventory below or contact us to. Identifying the hobbit and lord of the rings first edition issue points j. When the first edition of a book has a few typos or other small errors called points of issue, a second state of a first edition may be printed to correct these. Oxford university press until the late 1980s, there was no first edition statement, however, later printings were noted. Includes images, identification criteria, and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of first editions. By the time the fourth book in the series was released harry potter mania had well and truly taken hold and copies were printed by the millions. Books published prior to around 1900 are somewhat more easily identified, as publishers generally put the date on the title page of the first edition, although sometimes it can be found on the last page of the book.
A spectacular set signed by tolkien on a laid in signature in the first book, the fellowship of the ring. First edition identification by publisher ag book collecting tips. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first. A recent search on abebooks where 15,000 book dealers listed their books, search of first edition copies of wonderful wizard of oz returns only 15 copies for sale see the first photo and as can be seen on the second image we. Free searchable database of first edition pulitzer prize for fiction books. Adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. Jul 31, 20 adam blakeney, senior specialist in modern literature at peter harrington explains how to identify first editions. First edition is printed on page, and r49 is printed on page 447. For printings beyond the 10th, random house adds a 1 to the number line and a letter to its center so that, for instance, 2468b97531 would. In a good unclipped wrapper with some light staining to the corners and some internal staining. Rare first edition, special limited large paper issue of shackletons fascinating account of the british antarctic expedition of 19071909, number 274 of only 300 copies printed. Salinger was published in 1951 by little, brown and company in new york.
However, there is some debate over whether the scribners seal should also be present on the page. Firstly its important to establish what actually constitutes a harry potter first edition. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman rare. The abaa glossary is a master of understatement when it says every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions.
Each book link is to the specific blog post at 1st edition blog, where we are posting points for key books at the rate of 2 or 3 per week. To find the market value for this book, click on the prefilled ebay, abebooks, or biblio links to the right and look for comparable listings that have all of these first edition points. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman. That indicates that the copy they are offering is the earliest example of that commercial production.
It now regarded as one of the most important works of fiction of the 20th century. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition. First edition identification would be an easy task if there were only one publishing house and they remained consistent in their printing methods over the years, but alas this is far from the case. First edition criteria and points to identify to have and have not by. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. Collectors look for first edition books because these tend to have the highest demand and the greatest potential to increase in value over time. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. A very good book without inscriptions with some sunning to the top edge.
The first edition of to kill a mockingbird by harper lee was published in 1960 by j. For the second printing, the 1 is removed, so the 2 is the lowest number present. First edition criteria and points for book identification. 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. Also, book club edition dust jackets dj are occasionally found on first editions to replace lost or damaged jackets. In many cases, the points will include photographs of the books essential identifying points. The first edition continues until the book is changed. But a first edition, first state is more desired and valuable among collectors, as a first edition usually is closest to the most original source. Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. First editions, first printings of all three books. To find the market value for this book, click on the prefilled ebay, abebooks, or biblio links to the right and look for comparable listings that have. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition. Pictures of the true first edition of carrie by stephen king. The first comprehensive free online guide dedicated to identifying first edition books, as well as collectible and rare books.
The first printing is the first batch of books printed from this first setting of type. 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 criteria and points to identify the firm by john grisham. Thus you could see the words first edition on a book with the number starting at 4 or d. An exception to the cardinality rule is generally made for a book s first appearance in a country or a language. Not every book has points of issue, but for many literary works which do, these differences can make a vast difference in value. First edition points to identify to kill a mockingbird by. 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. Our books are historically important and allow the reader to own a piece of history. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set and. First edition24689753, to first editions, and removed the first edition statement from subsequent printings e. Occasionally, they accidentally left the first edition statement on later printings. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition.
Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. First edition criteria and points to identify cannery row by john. Modern first edition points online reference guide pulitzer prize. Includes images and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of first editions. If there is a missing page,even a blank one, that is a major flaw. Search our database to see a particular books first edition points. The presence of a date on the title page alone may identify books published prior to the mid1800s as first editions.
First edition copies state first edition on the page and the number sequence will be 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3. To kill a mockingbird book won the pulitzer prize for fiction. A time to kill by john grisham first edition points of issue. Many publishers will print the hardcover edition of a book and call that a first edition, then print the same text in paperback and call it a first edition as well. One of the most scarce and desirable rackham titles. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with black boards. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first printing. How to tell if you have a harry potter first edition set. Collectors use the term first edition to mean first edition, 1st state. We show you what a first edition or first trade edition looks like, and we give you a launching point to quickly find the book s availability at ebay and abebooks. This site is dedicated to collectors of first edition national book award winning books, specifically winners in the fiction category. In a good unclipped wrapper with some light staining to the. As the book series grew in popularity the later books. The book is quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards.
Edition a guide to identify points of issue for first. Identifying the hobbit and lord of the rings first edition. You will find an ever growing list of book titles and their important points of. First edition criteria and points to identify carrie by stephen king. You might want to consider pulling the listing and redoing it with more photos and full information. This link page will lag the blog posts, so if you want to stay current, you can subscribe to the rss. It now regarded as one of the most important works of fiction of the 20th. The lack of edition points in the listing didnt help either, though the questions have clarified that to some extent. If a book is a first edition it will carry the notice first publishedfirst published in great britian 19if it is a reprint or a second or subsequent edition the original notice will be followed by reprinted 19 or second edition 19 as appropriate. A first edition, first printing published by andre deutsch in 1974. In this example, the book is technically a first edition but fourth printing or fourth state.
The second and third states are more common, with the second state jacket having a slight premium to the third state, and with all other condition points being equal, one can expect to pay approximately. Includes images and points of issue to assist collectors in the identification of true first editions. Browse through our inventory below or contact us to discuss your rare books. The first edition offers collectors the finest notable rare books. Mar 28, 2010 the first edition of to kill a mockingbird by harper lee was published in 1960 by j. Our collection of first edition oz books exceeds all of the antique book dealers combine.
First edition criteria and points to identify for whom the bell tolls by. A recent search on abebooks where 15,000 book dealers listed their books, search of first. First edition most often refers to the first commercial publication of a work between its own covers, even if it was first printed in a periodical. You can search for first editions and limited editions of a time to kill on. Pictures of the true first edition of cannery row by john steinbeck. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. It also provides links to ebay and abebooks that targets searches for a particular book. Occasionally a number line will be accompanied by a date line. Pictures of the true first edition of the pearl by john steinbeck. The changes in during the production of the first printing are called states, so you may see a book described as first edition, first state. 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.
The first issue points of the franklin press imprint on the page and the following identifying points. The lord of the rings by tolkien, first edition abebooks. Pictures of the true first edition of the firm by john grisham. A time to kill a guide to identify points of issue for. The book features 192 illustrations by frank merrill, john harley.
Over the years there have been thousands of publishers, each using various methods for distinguishing a first edition. Includes identificaton criteria and points of issue to help collectors identify the original book. 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. K rowing will have a much higher value even if it isnt an early edition or part of harry potter first edition set. In many instances we are posting photographs for the first edition identification points for each book. On each of the web pages, the title of the book links to its first edition identification points. Deluxe signed limited first edition, with 51 fullcolor mounted plates by rackham, number 5 of only 250 copies signed by rackham, one of the smallest limitations for a rackham title and the first book illustrated wholly by rackham to be issued in a limited edition riall. A time to kill a novel of retribution by john grisham identifying first edition points of issue. For example, entering st in author last will return a list of books by authors such as stegner, steinbeck, stoker, and styron. Lately, first edition has become widely accepted tto mean first edition.
First edition criteria and points to identify the pearl by john steinbeck. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing. Identifying first edition hardy boys book the ebay community. Enter search criteria in any field to search against our database of modern first editions. A first editions is the earliest printed copy of a published book. How to identify first editions book collecting guide. Our intention is to post first edition points for dr. Free searchable database of modern first edition books. Seuss, caldecott award, and other key childrens picturebooks at the rate of two to three per week. It provides crucial points of issue that can be used in the proper identification of first editions, and plenty of pictures to illustrate what to look for. 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. The identifying characteristics of changes in state are called points of issue. It was lees first and only book until 2015, when go set a watchman was published and was instantly acclaimed, winning the pulitzer prize for fiction for 1960. First edition 24689753, to first editions, and removed the first edition statement from subsequent printings e.
The first edition of this collectible book was published by charles scribners sons in 1937. Many publishers use the term first edition to mean a book reprinted without changes. First edition points and criteria for for whom the bell tolls year published. Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade.
The catcher in the rye first edition points and values j. The first edition was published in 1941 by harcourt, brace and company. 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. To kill a mockingbird first edition points and values. In many cases, the points will include photographs of the book s essential identifying points. It was lees first and only book until 2015, when go set a. 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. For publishers, first edition may just mean the first version of the text, without significant revisions.
Many of the early pulitzers are rare, so dont be surprised if you cannot locate a first edition of the able mclaughlins or years of grace they are always hard to find. Each book is a first edition, first impression including return of the king with first issue point without the number 4 on page 49. However, the edition that was first issued almost always carries the most collectibility and the. Generally speaking, if the 1 is present, the book is a first edition first edition, first printing.
Eckel, in his 19 bibliography, the first editions of the writings of charles dickens, their points and values. 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. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions. These are considered true first editions, but are generally noted in ways such as first u. The following is a list of links to first edition identification points for key childrens books. Tolkiens the hobbit and t he lord of the rings trilogy are some of the most iconic and sought after first editions books on the. All following statements 1976, 1981, and 1988 are essentially the same. The prince and the pauper by mark twain first edition. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. The first edition rare books rare books by notable people.