The story originated in 1897 with a picture letter to noel moore, and was rewritten in 1901 for norah moore. First edition is printed on page, and r49 is printed on page 447. Book collectors tend to be fussy about such things and will pay a premium for a copy that looks like it just left the printing press. The first edition of harry potter and the philosophers stone is the only book in the series that credits joanne rowling as its author j. Identifying, and valuing first edition dr seuss books. If there are two or more books described as a first edition, then a collector will want. There is some controversy on the authorship, with some thinking that it was actually written by. Arthur rackham peter pan in kensington gardens, willy pogany the tale of lohengrin, willy pogany tannhauser signed limited edition book, edmund dulac picture book for the french red cross, edmund dulac tanglewood tales, arthur rackham peer gynt, warwick goble the fairy book, rex whistler fairy. Some books, like jk rowlings first harry potter book, are not rare but are quite valuable if it is a first edition. The guide covers the prices of all famous forty oz books from first to later editions covering over 160 different variations of the same 40 oz titles such as wizard. To kill a mockingbird first edition points and values. Speaking generally, first editions will hold the most value if they are first editions, first printings.
I like the way the search interface is arranged, but its important to keep a few things in mind. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. A recent search on abebooks where 15,000 book dealers listed their books, search of first edition copies of wonderful wizard of oz returns only 15 copies for sale see the first photo and as can be seen on the second image we. 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. 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. Rowlings birth name before she took a pen name and a. The top 10 rare and pricey stephen king books litreactor. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets. Wizard price guide the wizard of oz books rare, first. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed rare. The first edition rare books offers collectors the finest selection of important rare books from around the world.
The following table is an excerpt from our book the childrens picturebook price guide. Flemings bond books are perhaps the most popular and iconic thriller series ever produced. The condition of your book plays a big role in its value. The book is only described as a second edition if significant changes are made to the copy. Seuss books 2002, by helen younger, marc younger, and dan hirsch. A signed first edition of the lovely bones by alice sebold one of the most acclaimed books of the decade, alice sebolds the lovely bones was published in 2002 and adapted for film in 2009.
Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. What is the value of an 1907 edition of the book the shepard. Zane grey bibliography and price guide browsers bookstore. Click on the book s title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. The most valuable books are those closest to their original condition.
These requests usually involves some household names of authors of the 20th century from faulkner to hemingway and steinbeck to fitzgerald. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. The estimated values are for first edition books, with dust jackets. Not all first editions say the words first edition on the title page.
The condition of a first edition book, like all collectible books, is an important factor in determining its value. Modern firsts first edition of a book published after 1900 remember when collecting first editions that condition and scarcity are the main contributing factors to the price of a book. Frank baum, the wonderful wizard of oz first edition 1900 3. Oct 10, 2019 the main characteristics of a 1997 first edition first issue are a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of joanne rowling, not jk. Click on the books title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number. Sep 10, 2008 probably the facsimile edition would be the best for gift. In certain first editions like the great gatsby the dust jacket is the defining aspect of the books value. A first edition signed by the author will have even. When executing your search, fill in as much information as possible. A comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to modern collectible firearms with current market values by robert a.
The crown jewel in many a collectors library is a signed first edition. Rare first edition, special limited large paper issue of shackletons fascinating account of the british antarctic expedition of 19071909, number 274 of only 300 copies printed. Rare books for sale, buy antique books from alibris. 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. All first editions say book supply company on the title page, have a rectangular. Condition is very important and will greatly influence value. We specialize in making it easier for you to get the books you need. Find first edition copies of any book, searches over 150 million books so you find the exact book you need. A new price index of first edition 20thcentury popular classics reveals how values have more than doubled over the past 10 years.
We have thousands of rare and antique treasures brought to you by our network of trusted sellers from all around the world. If it has flaws, it will usually be worth significantly less than a copy in excellent fine condition. Another note here on the use of the term first edition. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. In collecting terms, a general definition of 1st edition book would be a works first commercially available appearance in.
How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable. A beatenup old book that is falling apart will have little value. Information on old books describes how to determine the value of old books by the smithsonian. As a rare book dealer, i get calls on a weekly basis to provide valuations of first editions. Rowling s harry potter series has gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide, and first editions of her books have very quickly become collectable. If you are unfamiliar with the grading scale for book conditions you can find it on our used books page.
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. The easiest way to know how much your copy of a book is worth on the open market is. There are many guides to identifying first edition books, including abebooks own, but there is sometimes no definitive answer. Collecting ian fleming first edition books rare and.
How to identify first editions book collecting guide. Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Value of a dust jacket on a rare first edition rare book. Oct 30, 2019 the book is quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards. There are are few collectable editions of this book. The great gatsby first edition points and values modern. If your copy is a 3rd printing, or a book club edition, it wont have the same value as a first edition. Jan 19, 2006 28 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling bloomsbury, 1997. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. First edition copies state first edition on the page and the number sequence will be 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3. A first edition signed by the author will have even greater value. What is the value of an 1907 edition of the book the. Browse through our inventory or contact us to discuss your rare book collection.
Its also true that first edition doesnt always correlate with value or collectibility. Hubert howe bancroft, book of wealth first edition 1896 2. 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. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition dr. Compare your book to the details of each book listed, comparing the publisher, year published, edition, condition, and any physical description of the book. Value of a dust jacket on a rare first edition rare. The best site on the net for info on rare stephen king books. Also, book club edition dust jackets dj are occasionally found on first editions to replace lost or damaged jackets. Another important factor in the value of a first edition or any collectible book is condition.
Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. But publishers are the only ones who use the term that way. The first edition of to kill a mockingbird by harper lee was published in 1960 by j. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. Our collection of first edition oz books exceeds all of the antique book dealers combine. A first edition is the first time a book is printed by a publisher.
To a publisher, all printings within an edition are the first edition. If you have one of these rare books sitting on a shelf, get ready to cash in. First edition book values how much is a book worth. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold mine. Since 1997, bookfinder has made it easy to find any book at the best price. The first edition bookstore sells rare and collectable books that includes illustrated books such as. Seuss books should also own a copy of first editions of dr. First edition, first impression, with the title page dated 1903 and without the words author of the tale of peter rabbit. It is the first book to feature the introduction of pictorial. For hardcover books published from the 20th century onwards, the presence of a dust jacket and its condition also greatly affect value. First edition in book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. Many other factors play a role, including condition, scarcity, provenance. Mar 28, 2010 the first edition of to kill a mockingbird by harper lee was published in 1960 by j.
The combination of condition and edition are very important when defining value. The main characteristics of a 1997 first edition first issue are a print line that reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of joanne rowling, not jk. It would probably be my favorite edition, besides the actual first edition. Use the search box above to find fond treasures from your childhood or that one book that has escaped your collection thus far. It was lees first and only book until 2015, when go set a watchman was published and was instantly acclaimed, winning the pulitzer prize for fiction for 1960. The first edition rare books rare books by notable people. There remains some attraction in identifying with the character and his lifestyle how many men dont secretly desire to be bond at least in some small way. How to tell if a book is a first edition or valuable book riot. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Alibris is one of the premier rare and outofprint book sites on the internet. First and only edition of the antarctic book, with the signatures of every member of the shore party, including shackleton. Probably the facsimile edition would be the best for gift.
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