Our books are historically important and allow the reader to own a piece of history. Oct 03, 2019 and sometimes signed early editions are pretty valuable, even if they arent first editions from the first printing. Speaking generally, first editions will hold the most value if they are first editions, first printings. Collecting first edition books can be both a science and a gamble, much like playing the stock market. For many of the books below, the color of the binding may vary widely. Bauman rare books offers an extraordinary selection of rare books and autographs in all fields. How do people determine if theyve got a first edition or just an old book. First editions are sought after by collectors of all kinds. First editions of certain books tend to be the most valuable. To find out more about what a first edition book is and why its important to collectors, see what is a first edition. The first edition rare books offers collectors the finest selection of important rare books from around the world. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed.
We do our best to give an accurate, detailed description. Oct 30, 2019 this is a comprehensive guide to stephen king first editions. If not, the fact that its a first edition doesnt matter. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr.
Caldecott medal values lists the value for each first edition caldecott medal book. Abebooks offers an immense collection of first edition books for sale, including some of the most famous books ever published. 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. I totally need the copy of the the wonderful wizard of oz in my life. If the book is very, very popular, second editions or reprint editions may be desirable to collectors who dont have the cash to fork over for first editions but still want a piece of rare book history. Browse through our inventory or contact us to discuss your rare book collection. That is because a first edition is the very first copy of a book to be published for sale, which often makes first editions rare books, hardtofind copies, or even outof print editions.
Alcotts first regularly published book was issued in an edition of 1,600 copies in five colors of cloth red, blue, slateblue, green and brown in a gift style binding with extra gilt on the spine and a gilt vignette at the center of the cover. Paperback first editions of the philosophers stone are also quite scare and attract fourfigure pricetags sometimes five figures if in excellent condition. As with any collectible, the value is often in the eye of the beholder. One of the most common questions posed our membership relates to the identification of cussler first editions. Nov 10, 2015 even first editions of the great gatsby vary enormously in price. Visit us online, at our galleries in new york or las vegas, or call us at 180099bauman. Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. Book club editions book of the month clubs often use the same printing plates as the original publisher, right down to the words first edition on the printing history. The figures for book values fail to take into account trading costs. The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide.
Values of zane grey books are difficult to determine. We do not drop ship all our inventory is our own, on our premises, and we examine and describe your specific copy. Values relate to first editions in very good condition thu 19 jan 2006 08. For many books, it only takes time and patience for a contemporary first edition to gain value in the collectors market. Buy first edition books for sale at auction invaluable. The first edition offers collectors the finest notable rare books. First editions published after 1960 can be found by clicking here.
Every book had a first printing, but not all of them are worth a fortune. Depending on who has published the book and what formats it has been published in, youll be looking for hardcover books mostly. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. However second printings can be picked up for three figures. First edition book values how much is a book worth. A popular book may have had dozens of additional printings causing its first printing to be the most valuable. Terry brooks early novels terry pratchett any first editions pre2000, any limited editions and any signed first editions. Also, book club edition dust jackets dj are occasionally found on first editions to replace lost or damaged jackets. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. The illustrator links to ebay search auctions for collectible books. Here are some books and online resources which will help you find out if your dr. Jun 06, 2011 for those interested in buying or selling scarce and rare first editions collected books.
The first edition of a facsimile reprint is the reprint publishers first edition, but not the first edition of the work itself. Have you ever wondered how to tell if your harry potter book is rare and worth a lot of money. Well, this section on mugglenet will explain all the intricacies associated with the rare harry potter books, from the first editions to the misprints and covers associated with each. How to identify first editions and care for old books. Find a first edition of your favorite book to add to your own collection or as a gift for the bibliophile in your life. Book club edition dust jackets are easily identified because they do not have a price marked inside the front cover. John grisham 1st edition books for sale in stock ebay. Some books are published in such huge quantities that first editions are very common.
The story of timmy and goody tiptoes is the only beatrix potter story apparently set in north america although this is implicit rather than stated anywhere in the book. 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. It includes a full list of indicators for recognizing true first edition stephen king novels, as well as approximate values. Changes of this nature can include adding a chapter or the addition of a foreword, for example. Kate greenaway books and almanacks in first edition and nice condition kay neilsen any of his first editions. First edition, first impression, in the rare publishers glassine dust jacket. The value of a first edition will fluctuate with demand. At salt creek first editions, we take pride in our work, and our intention is for every buyer to delight in their purchase. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets. The independent online booksellers association has a a first edition primer which discusses several aspects of identifying first editions including publishing and specific publishers way of designating first editions. You can also choose to limit your search to first editions, signed editions, or hardcover. After you determine that you indeed have a first edition in your possession, then you have to research the potential value.
Find out how to identify first editions and to care for books to maintain their value. Ted hughes most first editions considered, especially signed copies. Each book thats published, of course, has a first edition. Stephen king is a very recognizable name in the genre of horror fiction. First editions with dust jackets can command prices up to several hundred dollars. By far the most valuable book in the series is the first, harry potter and the philosophers stone, published on 30 june 1997 by bloomsbury in london.
Browse through our inventory below or contact us to discuss your rare books. 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. Modern firsts first edition of a book published after 1900. First edition in book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. You can usually find the print number of a book by looking at the page. Adding to the confusion, publishers will often change the way that they identify first editions. The yellow book any copies considered, especially full sets. First edition means the book was made during the books first print run. However, for a first edition to have value, there must be a demand for it. Jules verne any first editions julian barnes first editions published before 1985. His writing is very popular, and his books are in high demand. The collector the best site for info on limited edition stephen king available at both and. Have you ever found a cool vintage book at a thrift shop, or opened up an old frame to discover an ancient document.
First editions are sought after by collectors, and avid fans. The easiest way to know how much your copy of a book is worth on the open market is. The guide to identification and values provides assurance that your offerings or purchases are bibliographically correct. The crown jewel in many a collectors library is a signed first edition. Condition is very important and will greatly influence value. Overall, the color of the cloth is not as important as what is printed on it. There are many benefits to collecting first editions, but value and historical relevance, particularly of important or impactful new books, top the list for many buyers. Without dust jackets, most first editions are worth substantially less.
Completed ebay auctions lists fifty completed ebay auctions for first edition childrens picturebooks. The first edition rare books rare books by notable people. The best site on the net for info on rare stephen king books. You can find detailed help on identifying book club editions here. The desire to acquire first editions could be considered the backbone of the book collecting world. A first edition is the first time a book is printed by a publisher. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. Jan 19, 2006 values relate to first editions in very good condition. Seuss books are first editions, and what their value may be. Tolkien any first editions, especially the history of middle earth series, hobbit, lord of the rings and early scholarly items. If you have one of these rare books sitting on a shelf, get ready to cash in. Childrens book values lists the fortyfour picturebooks first edition books. For hardcover books published from the 20th century onwards, the presence of a dust jacket and its condition also greatly affect value. If you are among the few who happen to have a first printing first edition of the uk edition of the first book, which was called, harry potter and the philosophers stone, you really have a treasure.
That indicates that the copy they are offering is the earliest example of that commercial production. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want. Tthe searchable database consists of detailed reports in an. 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. Over the years there have been thousands of publishers, each using various methods for distinguishing a first edition. Jan 29, 2020 if changes are made to a book after the first printing, the book would be described as a second edition. If the initial print run known as the first printing or first impression sells out and the publisher decides to produce a subsequent printing with the same typeset, books from that second print run can be described as a first edition, second printing. How to identify first editions and care for old books liveabout. Youll likely recover the cost of this book very quickly, with your new ability to figure out whats a first edition and whats not. Is it a first edition, first trade edition or first separate edition. Remember when collecting first editions that condition and scarcity are the main contributing factors to the price of a book. First editions are soughtafter by book collectors and a first edition is usually more valuable than a later printing.
Collecting james bond first editions meier and sons. Rowlings harry potter series has gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide, and first editions of her books have very quickly become collectable. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions.
Warren, whose price guide books have been the authority on collectibles values since 1985. 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. Book club editions book of the month clubs often use the same printing plates as the original publisher, right down to the words first edition on the printing. If you are unfamiliar with the grading scale for book conditions you can find it on our used books page. Theyre avidly collected, but, unfortunately, have a reputation for being notoriously difficult to identify as first editions. A first edition signed by the author will have even greater value. Raptis rare books is a trusted antiquarian book dealer, and we maintain a wide variety of collectible and antique books. In addition, a book may have the binding of a first edition, but may be missing important points inside. While not as valuable a first editions, second editions of some books can certainly be. Its easy to use, and small and light enough to fit in your pocket. A beatenup old book that is falling apart will have little value. The book s title links to its first edition points.
How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. Bram stokers dracula, signed presentation copy, first american edition, new york. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list click on the books title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. For book collectors, first edition identification is a vital skill. To find original editions, please select show more options to refine your search by publication year. For hardcover books published from the 20th century onwards, the.
A first edition signed by the author will have even. But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies. For book collectors, book dealers and anyone that simply loves books, determining first edition book values is often as confusing as identifying a first. And sometimes signed early editions are pretty valuable, even if they arent first editions from the first printing. Though, not all of his books fall into this category.
If youre looking for first edition or rare childrens books online, youve come to the right place. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions details the methods over 4,600 different publishers use to identify their first editions. You can buy a guide to identifying first editions to make some sense of the confusion. The first edition refers to a books first printing run. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. More often than not, conventions for distinguishing first editions vary. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. To a book collector the phrase first edition refers to a book that was released during the first printing of the first edition they call this book a 1st1st. Most of the books were sold to libraries, so it is very hard to find a wanderer hardcover book that is not a library discard. In addition to the information provided below, we highly recommend wayne valleros book titled the collectors guide to clive cussler that provides a complete overview of cussler collecting. Lists the value for the first fifty beginner books. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition.