He was awarded the nobel prize for literature in 1907 and nominated for a. Not all first editions say the words first edition on the title page. Modern bestsellers, obscure novels, out of print books, classic literature from the victorian age. Just because a book is a first edition, which is the very first printing of a book, does not make it rare. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions. Jan 19, 2006 this article is more than 14 years old. A pocket guide to the identification of first editions details the methods over 4,600 different publishers use to identify their first editions. While not as valuable a first editions, second editions of some books can certainly be. We specialize in making it easier for you to get the books. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets. First editions with dust jackets can command prices up to several hundred dollars. Paperback first editions of the philosophers stone are also quite scare and attract fourfigure pricetags sometimes five figures if in excellent condition.
Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. How do you determine the ballpark current value of the one thats on your desk right now. If changes are made to a book after the first printing, the book would be described as a second edition. Peter harrington rare books first edition books, signed. 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. The illustrator links to ebay search auctions for collectible books. If you have one of these rare books sitting on a shelf somewhere, get ready to cash in. We have thousands of rare and antique treasures brought to you by our network of trusted sellers from all around the world. Collecting first editions is a kind of madness telegraph. Find a first edition of your favorite book to add to your own collection or as a gift for the bibliophile in your life. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Tthe searchable database consists of detailed reports in an. Although it is sometimes confusing, there are certain things to look for when trying to identify a rare book.
Seuss books 2002, by helen younger, marc younger, and dan hirsch. If you have one of these rare books sitting on a shelf, get ready to cash in. Jan 29, 2020 if changes are made to a book after the first printing, the book would be described as a second edition. 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. You can buy a guide to identifying first editions to make some sense of the confusion. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books.
Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition. Value of a dust jacket on a rare first edition rare book. Collectors have varied reactions to the exlibrary copy, and its important to make an informed decision before you add exlibrary copies to your own personal library. Changes of this nature can include adding a chapter or the addition of a foreword, for example. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. Each book thats published, of course, has a first edition. Oct 05, 2014 if youve taken up rare book collecting, youve probably encountered the phrase exlibrary copy or seen the shorthand exlib in a book description. Browse through our inventory or contact us to discuss your rare book collection.
Values of zane grey books are difficult to determine. Modern firsts first edition of a book published after 1900. You can find detailed help on identifying book club editions here. Its actually pretty simple to research book values. A first edition signed by the author will have even greater value. Are the books on your shelves or in your grandparents attic worth something. Peter harrington specialises in selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, library sets, maps and original artwork.
And sometimes signed early editions are pretty valuable, even if they arent first editions from the first printing. Here is some information from our own extensive experience buying l. The first edition rare books rare books by notable people. John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book, the different types of number lines, and a. Oct 10, 2019 how to tell if your old copy of harry potter is worth up to. Why do i see a wide range of prices online for the same book. Oct 03, 2019 and sometimes signed early editions are pretty valuable, even if they arent first editions from the first printing. First edition book values how much is a book worth. The book s title links to its first edition points. First editions are soughtafter by book collectors and a first edition is usually more valuable than a later printing. Whether you want the cheapest reading copy or a specific collectible edition, with bookfinder, youll find just the right book.
Caldecott medal values lists the value for each first edition caldecott medal book. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list click on the book s title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. Adding to the confusion, publishers will often change the way that they identify first editions. Value of a dust jacket on a rare first edition rare. Perhaps the expensive one is listed by the seller as a first edition and the. Jan 11, 2020 if youre like most people, youd probably wonder how much the book was worth. We also purchase from public and private libraries, and will evaluate or purchase house clearances in the area. I totally need the copy of the the wonderful wizard of oz in my life. Its easy to use, and small and light enough to fit in your pocket. They are divesting themselves of their library and some of the books are too old to find values for.
Speaking generally, first editions will hold the most value if they are. This website offers free information for the beginning and advanced collector of contemporary childrens picturebooks. 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. Values relate to first editions in very good condition. The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide.
A first edition is the first time a book is printed by a publisher. If youre like most people, youd probably wonder how much the book was worth. These requests usually involves some household names of authors of the 20th century from faulkner to hemingway and steinbeck to fitzgerald. A beatenup old book that is falling apart will have little value.
If youve taken up rare book collecting, youve probably encountered the phrase exlibrary copy or seen the shorthand exlib in a book description. However, for a first edition to have value, there must be a demand for it. 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. Collecting first editions is a kind of madness buy beautiful old books, not first editions, christopher howse says. Many antique books have been reprinted by various publishers. Without dust jackets, most first editions are worth substantially less.
Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr. The first edition rare books offers collectors the finest selection of important rare books from around the world. The monetary value of an antique book, just as the value of all antiques, varies based on current market demands and where the book is being bought or sold. Some books are published in such huge quantities that first editions are very common. Youll likely recover the cost of this book very quickly, with your new ability to figure out whats a first edition and whats not. How do people determine if theyve got a first edition or just an old book. 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. His development of the short story is recognised as a significant milestone in childrens literature. 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 book collecting guide. If you find you have a first edition and are curious about the value, there are numerous places you can look. Remember when collecting first editions that condition and scarcity are the main contributing factors to the price of a book. Once enough changes to the original book are made, another edition is published.
Rudyard kipling 30 december 1865 18 january 1936 was one of the most popular british authors of prose and verse in the late 19th and early 20th century. First editions are soughtafter by book collectors and a first edition is usually more valuable than a. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. We recently had an old book in latin, which we had estimated at 5,0007,000, but because it had a signature of jonathan.
Generally, rare book values are not a specific dollar figure. Condition is very important and will greatly influence value. Since 1997, bookfinder has made it easy to find any book at the best price. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. Tbcl the book collectors library first editions of. I like the way the search interface is arranged, but its important to keep a few things in mind. Have you ever wondered how to tell if your harry potter book is rare and worth a lot of money. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot.
Tthe searchable database consists of detailed reports in an evergrowing database of items in this category. Use the search box above to find fond treasures from your childhood or that one book that has escaped your collection thus far. Often mistaken for first editions, the literary equivalents of rookie sports cards, they lack collectible value. A first edition signed by the author will have even. 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. We provide a solid introduction to the hobby, childrens book values, and first edition identification points for key picturebooks, including dr. If you are unfamiliar with the grading scale for book conditions you can find it on our used books page. Oct 30, 2019 i will go book by book and give you all the information you need to identify stephen king first editions. We are always looking for first 1st edition books in hardback, we buy single books or large collections. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book.
As with any collectible, the value is often in the eye of the beholder. Youll find common and uncommon book terms, information about various book sizes, bindings, papers, first editions, and so much more. Alibris is one of the premier rare and outofprint book sites on the internet. Abebooks offers an immense collection of first edition books for sale, including some of the most famous books ever published. Many visitors to this web site arrive here looking for information about a montgomery book they wish to sell or buy. Tbcl the book collectors library first editions of english. Information on old books describes how to determine the value of old books by the smithsonian libraries. If not, the fact that its a first edition doesnt matter. A popular book may have had dozens of additional printings causing its first printing to be the most valuable. Childrens book values lists the fortyfour picturebooks first edition books. How to identify first editions and care for old books. Rare books for sale, buy antique books from alibris.
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