What is a 1st edition?
Basically it is a book that the publisher has released, either on the day the book is launched, or when there is going to be a limited numbered amount of copies with “This is one of 500 or 300 books” as an example. The latter was done for the first Harry Potter book and most of those got published down under, so to be found elsewhere would be pretty rare and now these 500 books are – if in “fine” condition worth a lot of money. There are several clues to help you identify a first: • Copywrite date will match printing copy date. • The publisher may print on the Colophon page ” Book 1st printed /issued on 21st Sept 1998 ” They will usually also add which country was truly first. • There may be a number line going down 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or 9 0 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. • The publisher may print the printing date on the title page under their company name • However, it becomes a might harder for Antiquarian books that are over 100 years old. I use various research engines to find out if there is
