What’s So Special About First Editions?

“It’s a first edition!” Say those words while holding a book and everyone nods approvingly. There is something magical about having a first edition, even to those who don’t collect books. Why are first editions so awe-inspiring? Exactly what are first editions, anyway? First, many people do know that 2nd editions aren’t nearly as valuable to book collectors. First editions also mark the time when a new idea was launched into the world. However, you should know that the mere fact that a book is a first edition doesn’t automatically make it valuable.

“First edition” is one of those phrases that almost everyone uses, but far fewer truly understand. What is the technical meaning of a first edition? Whenever a book (or anything else) is released for the first time in its very first form, it is a first edition. So if a book is printed as a hardback book for the first time, and the words contained in the book have never been printed in any other form, then the book is a first edition. If you remain absolutely true to the definition, second and third printings of that same book would also be first editions, because they are still in the first form published. However, the accepted usage refers to the first printing of the first form. So among book collectors, it is understood that the later printings of the original form (as well as first printings of new forms, like paperbacks and recordings) are not first editions.

Is every first edition valuable? Unfortunately, that is not the case. There is a well-known saying among book collectors that in reality, it is the second edition that makes the first edition more valuable. There are plenty of books that are printed and available in first editions that never achieved popularity or wide enough distribution to warrant a second printing. Only when books attract a wide following does the first edition become something that collectors seek.

Many people find something mystical in holding editions in which new ideas first made their entrance into the world. Clearly, some books change the world more than others. When you come into contact with a first edition of a world changer, then you will understand the wonder and awe that can create.