Welcome to my world of First Editions
A while ago, I wanted to collect something that was compact, historical and useful. I decided on collecting first editions.
As time went on, as others were generally abusing their older books and trying to get rid of them, I started saving them.
They aren't all valuable, but there are a few gems. Truth be told, they are all treasures, the older the better. I'm not in it for the money so much as the sheer joy of having shelves and shelves of history, particularly books that make other first edition hunters drool.
Some of them are pretty good reading too!
Settle back as I show you my collection and help hunters find first editions for their own collections.
First Edition Hunting Tips, My Book List and Finds on the Internet
How to Identify a First Edition
Things to Look For To Find Your Treasure
Ideally, you are looking for the first edition and first printing. Some books are misleading by saying first edition, which is technically true, but it could be in its fifth or tenth or twentieth printing if it is very popular.
Getting Started
Start by opening to the copyright page and looking for the date. The copyright page is the page that has all of the publisher and library of congress info. If this page says first edition, first printing, then you've found one.
Printing Runs
Next, check for the printing run. In newer books, a list of numbers (or in some cases letters) will appear. If you see 1 or a in the list, then the book is a first edition, first printing. Many older books do not have these printing lines, and so you will have to do further research before purchasing the book. However, older books that simply say First Edition usually are just that.
Some notes about printing lists/runs. The publisher Random House never uses 1 to indicate a first edition. If you see the words first edition, and the number 2 in the print run, it is indeed a first edition, first printing. They're just jerks.
Also, some print runs show the numbers or letters, and the last two digits of dates! So a line might look like 3 4 5 6 7 90 91 92 93 94. This means that it is a third edition (3) and that it was published in 1990.
Title Page
Let's back up a moment. We've gleaned everything off of the copyright page that we can. The title page has the name of the book, and the author's name and usually a date. This date should match the date on the copyright page. Sometimes you will see two dates. This generally means that publication started at the end of the first year and actually went out early the following year. This usually indicates a first edition, but you should research just to be sure.
Questionable and Collectible Editions
Book Club Editions - These are usually promotional, with no price on them, only available through book clubs and promotional deals. They often say First Edition, which means they are the first edition of the book club version. These are not first editions. They are often condensed, or different in some way and are not particularly valuable or rare.
Printings Before Publication/Advanced Reading Copies - These are usually printed up to test how the book will be printed and bound, errors that weren't scrapped, books given to critics before mass publication and the like. These are much like movie scripts and drafts that get loose every now and then. These tend to be collectible as they may be different from the final product, have errors in some way, or just rare because 50 were made before standard publication. They are not strictly first editions, but are usually novel enough (pun intended) to attract collectors.
Antique Books
People disagree on what defines antique, and some people will call any old junk "antique". Personally, I like to apply the following criteria:
1. Over 100 years old
2. Has unique or certain craftsmanship
3. Is unique in its own makeup, and is not reproduced in any significant way today.
The first one is easy. You can check for dates in a book, and if the book is over 100 years old, I consider it more or less an antique. Its sheer age is worthwhile to someone because it has survived so long, hopefully in good condition.
The second usually manifests itself in leather binding, or processes no longer used, or publishers that have long since closed shop. I personally don't know enough about paper, and glues and other parts of the bookmaking craft to identify a book as important due to how it was MADE, but when I see an old leatherbound book in good condition, published by a company that no longer exists, or published by a particular organization, I usually snatch it up, even if just for the novelty of it. A first edition or 100 years old or more is a bonus when the book is well crafted, or vice versa.
Third, I have a collection of school books from the Civil War. They are probably very common, they have long since been replaced by newer more accurate texts, and they aren't in the best condition, but I know they aren't made anymore, and none of my collector buddies has a set of them. Are they worth anything...maybe. They are always of interest to other collectors though because they don't have any. *shrug* Sometimes that's worth collecting them, if just to impress your friends. Collectors always want what they don't have, and thus are willing to buy or trade for what you have discovered.
Getting Started
Start by opening to the copyright page and looking for the date. The copyright page is the page that has all of the publisher and library of congress info. If this page says first edition, first printing, then you've found one.
Printing Runs
Next, check for the printing run. In newer books, a list of numbers (or in some cases letters) will appear. If you see 1 or a in the list, then the book is a first edition, first printing. Many older books do not have these printing lines, and so you will have to do further research before purchasing the book. However, older books that simply say First Edition usually are just that.
Some notes about printing lists/runs. The publisher Random House never uses 1 to indicate a first edition. If you see the words first edition, and the number 2 in the print run, it is indeed a first edition, first printing. They're just jerks.
Also, some print runs show the numbers or letters, and the last two digits of dates! So a line might look like 3 4 5 6 7 90 91 92 93 94. This means that it is a third edition (3) and that it was published in 1990.
Title Page
Let's back up a moment. We've gleaned everything off of the copyright page that we can. The title page has the name of the book, and the author's name and usually a date. This date should match the date on the copyright page. Sometimes you will see two dates. This generally means that publication started at the end of the first year and actually went out early the following year. This usually indicates a first edition, but you should research just to be sure.
Questionable and Collectible Editions
Book Club Editions - These are usually promotional, with no price on them, only available through book clubs and promotional deals. They often say First Edition, which means they are the first edition of the book club version. These are not first editions. They are often condensed, or different in some way and are not particularly valuable or rare.
Printings Before Publication/Advanced Reading Copies - These are usually printed up to test how the book will be printed and bound, errors that weren't scrapped, books given to critics before mass publication and the like. These are much like movie scripts and drafts that get loose every now and then. These tend to be collectible as they may be different from the final product, have errors in some way, or just rare because 50 were made before standard publication. They are not strictly first editions, but are usually novel enough (pun intended) to attract collectors.
Antique Books
People disagree on what defines antique, and some people will call any old junk "antique". Personally, I like to apply the following criteria:
1. Over 100 years old
2. Has unique or certain craftsmanship
3. Is unique in its own makeup, and is not reproduced in any significant way today.
The first one is easy. You can check for dates in a book, and if the book is over 100 years old, I consider it more or less an antique. Its sheer age is worthwhile to someone because it has survived so long, hopefully in good condition.
The second usually manifests itself in leather binding, or processes no longer used, or publishers that have long since closed shop. I personally don't know enough about paper, and glues and other parts of the bookmaking craft to identify a book as important due to how it was MADE, but when I see an old leatherbound book in good condition, published by a company that no longer exists, or published by a particular organization, I usually snatch it up, even if just for the novelty of it. A first edition or 100 years old or more is a bonus when the book is well crafted, or vice versa.
Third, I have a collection of school books from the Civil War. They are probably very common, they have long since been replaced by newer more accurate texts, and they aren't in the best condition, but I know they aren't made anymore, and none of my collector buddies has a set of them. Are they worth anything...maybe. They are always of interest to other collectors though because they don't have any. *shrug* Sometimes that's worth collecting them, if just to impress your friends. Collectors always want what they don't have, and thus are willing to buy or trade for what you have discovered.
The Most Valuable First Editions
The most valuable books, prized by collectors, tend to repeat authors, so even though I'm listing certain books by each author, other books may be prized by you or others to complete the set.
Most of these books run anywhere from $8000 to $50,000, but some, like James Joyce's Ulysses can easily fetch $200,000 or more in very good condition.
Note: If a lot of these books look like books you had to read in middle school/high school/college, you are not mistaken. If only they handed out first eds in high school...
At any rate, if you can find any of these in any condition, well done!
Arranged alphabetically by author, and then chronologically.
W.H. Auden
Book of Poems (1928)
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This Side of Paradise (1920)
The Great Gatsby (1925)
Tender is the Night (1934)
Graham Greene
Babbling April (1925)
The Name of Action (1930)
Rumour at Nightfall (1931)
England Made Me (1935)
A Gun for Sale (1936)
Journey Without Maps (1936)
Brighton (1938)
The Confidential Agent (1939)
The Power and the Glory (1940)
The Ministry of Fear (1943)
After Two Years (1949)
Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also (1926)
Three Stories & Ten Poems (1923)
In Our Time (1924)
James Joyce
Chamber Music (1907)
Dubliners (1914)
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1917)
Ulysses (1922)
T.E. Lawrence
Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1922)
Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901)
The Tailor of Gloucester (1902)
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903/4)
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)
The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle (1905)
The Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)
The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher (1906)
The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)
The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse (1910)
The Fairy Caravan (1929)
Most of these books run anywhere from $8000 to $50,000, but some, like James Joyce's Ulysses can easily fetch $200,000 or more in very good condition.
Note: If a lot of these books look like books you had to read in middle school/high school/college, you are not mistaken. If only they handed out first eds in high school...
At any rate, if you can find any of these in any condition, well done!
Arranged alphabetically by author, and then chronologically.
W.H. Auden
Book of Poems (1928)
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This Side of Paradise (1920)
The Great Gatsby (1925)
Tender is the Night (1934)
Graham Greene
Babbling April (1925)
The Name of Action (1930)
Rumour at Nightfall (1931)
England Made Me (1935)
A Gun for Sale (1936)
Journey Without Maps (1936)
Brighton (1938)
The Confidential Agent (1939)
The Power and the Glory (1940)
The Ministry of Fear (1943)
After Two Years (1949)
Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also (1926)
Three Stories & Ten Poems (1923)
In Our Time (1924)
James Joyce
Chamber Music (1907)
Dubliners (1914)
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1917)
Ulysses (1922)
T.E. Lawrence
Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1922)
Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901)
The Tailor of Gloucester (1902)
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903/4)
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)
The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle (1905)
The Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)
The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher (1906)
The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)
The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse (1910)
The Fairy Caravan (1929)
My Collection
Books I have collected that are Firsts, Antiques, fun to collect or all three
Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway - 1970, Charles Scribner's Sons - First, First
Published by his wife after his death. I would say fine condition, tear on dust jacket, tear on a page, yellowed pages. Map on inside hardcover.
The Art of Seeing by Aldous Huxley - 1942, Harper and Brothers - First Edition, Possibly second printing
At the time I got it, I was confused by the notation that read simply 10-2. I now suspect that this means 2nd printing much like seeing 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 would. It does say First Edition on the copyright page, but of course it could be a second printing. I have not seen a notation like 10-2 again or since. Such are the pitfalls of collecting first editions.
The book itself is in good condition with ragged, slightly yellowed pages, no jacket but a beautiful green and gold surface.
The Four Winds by David Beatty - 1954 William Morrow and Company - First, First
Watercolor artwork on dust jacket in fine condition, some wear, red tipped pages still brightly colored.
Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon - 1994, William Morrow and Company - First, First
No jacket but extra fine condition.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - 1915, Grossett and Dunlap. - Not a first edition!
I know experienced collectors are already crying foul. Little Women was first published in 1868/69, and was eventually published later by Little, Brown and Company. They gave G and D the rights to publish this edition in 1915. It is far from a first edition, but due to its age and good condition, I had to have it. Inside are several drawings and artworks that some collectors, including me, hold dear. It is also nearly an antique by my first definition in 2008. Not all of the books in your collection have to be top dollar to be prized in your collection.
More coming soon, as soon as I get organized.
Published by his wife after his death. I would say fine condition, tear on dust jacket, tear on a page, yellowed pages. Map on inside hardcover.
The Art of Seeing by Aldous Huxley - 1942, Harper and Brothers - First Edition, Possibly second printing
At the time I got it, I was confused by the notation that read simply 10-2. I now suspect that this means 2nd printing much like seeing 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 would. It does say First Edition on the copyright page, but of course it could be a second printing. I have not seen a notation like 10-2 again or since. Such are the pitfalls of collecting first editions.
The book itself is in good condition with ragged, slightly yellowed pages, no jacket but a beautiful green and gold surface.
The Four Winds by David Beatty - 1954 William Morrow and Company - First, First
Watercolor artwork on dust jacket in fine condition, some wear, red tipped pages still brightly colored.
Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon - 1994, William Morrow and Company - First, First
No jacket but extra fine condition.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - 1915, Grossett and Dunlap. - Not a first edition!
I know experienced collectors are already crying foul. Little Women was first published in 1868/69, and was eventually published later by Little, Brown and Company. They gave G and D the rights to publish this edition in 1915. It is far from a first edition, but due to its age and good condition, I had to have it. Inside are several drawings and artworks that some collectors, including me, hold dear. It is also nearly an antique by my first definition in 2008. Not all of the books in your collection have to be top dollar to be prized in your collection.
More coming soon, as soon as I get organized.
News and Miscellaneous - Estate Sale Finds
4/4/08 - Going Estate Sale-ing - Sun City is a wonderful place for antiques and first editions. If you're ever in Phoenix, go out to Sun City, or one of the other retirement communities here or in your area.
There are always dozens of sales friday-sunday, and invariably, older folks have great book collections. Sadly, its time for them to sell them off, and they rarely seem to end up in the hands of their family, so they sell them, and at pretty low prices.
If they are savvy book collectors, you can expect to pay a premium for some, but generally they go cheap because they're "just old books".
Will update after my foray.
Update: Surprisingly slim pickings today. Two big estate sales and lots of garage sales but not a lot of books. In fact, both estate sales came up bust. I did manage to find a few firsts, but I was being really picky today and settled for a dedicated first edition of The Struggle For Europe by Chester Wilmot (Collins, 1952, London)
The cover is a bit torn but intact, the pages in good condition, and it is full of color plates of maps depicting troop movements throughout Europe near the end of World War II.
Despite the slim pickings today, I still like going to Sun City for thrift stores, and garage/estate sales because you can really find some great bargains there.
This weekend (May 23) was much better for Estate Sale hunting. At one location found 2 First Editions and an old book of poetry with no publishing info. Still tracking down info on it.
As a bonus, my wife found some great Calvin and Hobbes collections which you can't get anymore.
There are always dozens of sales friday-sunday, and invariably, older folks have great book collections. Sadly, its time for them to sell them off, and they rarely seem to end up in the hands of their family, so they sell them, and at pretty low prices.
If they are savvy book collectors, you can expect to pay a premium for some, but generally they go cheap because they're "just old books".
Will update after my foray.
Update: Surprisingly slim pickings today. Two big estate sales and lots of garage sales but not a lot of books. In fact, both estate sales came up bust. I did manage to find a few firsts, but I was being really picky today and settled for a dedicated first edition of The Struggle For Europe by Chester Wilmot (Collins, 1952, London)
The cover is a bit torn but intact, the pages in good condition, and it is full of color plates of maps depicting troop movements throughout Europe near the end of World War II.
Despite the slim pickings today, I still like going to Sun City for thrift stores, and garage/estate sales because you can really find some great bargains there.
This weekend (May 23) was much better for Estate Sale hunting. At one location found 2 First Editions and an old book of poetry with no publishing info. Still tracking down info on it.
As a bonus, my wife found some great Calvin and Hobbes collections which you can't get anymore.
First Edition and Antique Book Guides
Get some help doing your research
Books that can help you find, identify and price first editions and antique books
First Editions: A Guide to Identification
Amazon Price: $60.00 (as of 10/12/2008)
Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Book Collecting: The Book of First Books
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
ABC for Book Collectors
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide (Antique Trader Book Collectors Price Guide)
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
First Editions and Antique Books on eBay
Find a first edition or antique bargain
We're not responsible for the quirks of eBay sellers so do your research. Ask questions and ask for pictures. They should be able to show you the copyright and titles pages, any damage, proof of dust jacket etc.
Caveat Emptor
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
First Edition and Antique Book Feedback
Found any good books lately?
Want to brag about your rare, old editions?
Do it here! I love to hear about great finds and personal collections.
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