Are first edition books always hardback?

Are first edition books always hardback?

For publishers, “first edition” may just mean the first version of the text, without significant revisions. 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.

Is there a market for first edition books?

First editions that are scarce, according to supply and demand, generally have a higher value. However, there still must be someone that wants the book or the value usually will remain low. Generally, first editions published in small quantities are often those with a higher monetary value.

How can I tell when a book was printed?

Publishers usually list the printing date on the inside cover. Look at the title page to see if you can find a date. On some books, usually newer ones, you can find a printing date right underneath the title.

What is the difference between first printing and first edition?

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; the next 7,500 copies was the second printing. An edition is when you make a significant change to a book.

What does 1st edition 1st printing mean?

As we’ve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. That’s because the first printing only represents a portion of the total number of copies of a book that the publisher hopes to sell. That first printing is just an installment on what they hope to be a long term investment in that book.

How do I find out if a book is worth money?

To check the value of your books, go abebooks.com or bookfinder.com. You can also sell on these sites or on eBay. Dealers pay immediately, usually about one-third of the retail price.

What is the difference in a first edition and a first printing?

What and Why First Editions. A first edition is the first printing of a book. It’s true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition.

Which is the first printing of a book?

Quite simply, it is the initial printing of a book (after the book proof/advance copy). Technically the phrase “First Edition” consists of the first printing plus any additional printings of the same first edition.

Which is the true first edition of a book?

Booksellers will often describe these later first editions as a ‘first edition thus’ or just ‘first thus’. Most serious collectors want the ‘true first edition’ – the ‘first edition, first printing’ – and sometimes detective work is required to identify which edition that is.

Who was the first publisher of Zane Grey books?

Most first editions Zane Grey books were published by Harper’s. While there were a few books first printed by other companies, most were from Harper’s. If you have a Zane Grey book printed by someone else, chances are that it is not a first edition.