How can I tell if my book is a first edition?
Your questions about first edition books – and how to spot them – answered.
What are first edition books? And how can you tell if a book is a first edition? We teamed up with our colleagues at the Macmillan Archives to help answer these questions.
If you're a fan of collectables, discover our beautiful classic books to read at least once in your lifetime.
What is a first edition book?
A book is only a first edition if it is in its 'original form' – the version printed and shared with the public for its initial release. After this, a book can go through several print cycles; newer versions might include author notes or additional material or have a different cover.
How do I tell if my book is a first edition copy?
While different publishers use different identifiers, the general rule of thumb is to look at the copyright page numbers and dates.
The numbers: A number line is usually present, such as 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. If a 1 is present – in any sequence – it's usually a sign that the book is a first edition. If a book reads something like 3 5 7 9 8 6 4, then your book is not part of the first printing (the example above indicates a third printing cycle).
The dates: If the date on a copyright page matches the date on the title page, your copy is likely a first edition. N.B. These dates can still differ if the publication date is earlier than the copyright is acquired.
The edition identifier: Some publishers print the words 'First Edition', 'First Printing', 'First Impression' or similar on their copyright page to help identify which printing a book was part of.
Editions book: In the nineteenth century, Macmillan recorded all the print runs for titles in massive bound volumes called 'Editions Books'. It's from here that we know how many editions were made, the print runs, who printed them and how much they cost.
These photos show the Editions book and the entry for the first Alice in Wonderland book.
Should I care what edition my book is? Are all first editions valuable?
Possibly! Depending on the popularity and demand of a book, it could be valuable, or become so as time goes on. Some book collectors hunt for first editions and are willing to pay considerable amounts of money. As an example, true first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone are selling for thousands of pounds.
It's worth keeping in mind that every book published has a first edition, but not every book is desired by collectors or book dealers.
While these aren't first editions, here are some of our most beautiful books to collect, guaranteed to brighten up any bookshelf.
