Generally speaking the earliest form of an authors work tends to have the most value for the collector. Value is loosely based condition, scarcity, and the chronological printing order. Original manuscripts are one of a kind items, and in some cases sell for millions of dollars at auction. Because most people will never be able to own an original manuscript they buy the next best thing—

The first edition. I thought it might help to trace Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird from manuscript to first edition thus, to help illustrate the different uses of the word “first” in modern book collecting.

So lets start with the original work of the author…

MANUSCRIPT

Jack Kerouac’s manuscript for on the road was written on one single sheet of wound telex paper

Before any edition is sent out for sale to the public, the publisher will print a limited number of copies for the author, for review, or any number of in house purposes. They are collective known as advance proofs, uncorrected proofs, galleys, review copies, etc..

ADVANCE PROOF

An advance proof is an intermediary step between manuscript and first edition.

As a general rule the FIRST EDITION can be defined as the first appearance of a work offered for sale in it’s final and finished form.

FIRST EDITION

Most books are usually printed in small batches. The first of these batches is called the FIRST PRINTING (of the first edition). Many books have only one printing, but if there is demand a SECOND PRINTING can be sent out by the publisher, and a THIRD PRINTING, and so on, and so on…

When we use the term First edition what we really mean is First edition : First printing.

Now sometimes there are small changes made during printings. For example a misspelling might be found. Usually it is something easily corrected, and often unnoticed. Now lets say a small misspelling was corrected, all of the books prior to this correction would be included in the FIRST STATE (of the first edition), and all copies with the correction would be part of the SECOND STATE (of the first edition).

Now we come to the problem of books printed outside the native country of the writer. So lets use To Kill A Mocking Bird to explain…

FIRST U. K. EDITION

When a book is published in a country that is not the native country of the author (Harper Lee is from the U. S.) we add the name of the country when denoting first edition (in this case the First U.K. Edition). It is generally accepted that the edition published in the country of origin of the author is the true first edition.

What happens if other publishers decide to print there own first editions?

FIRST EDITION THUS

When a book that has already been published is printed again by a new publisher, usually with some new addition such as illustrations, we call the new edition a first edition thus or FIRST THUS.

In the case of our Harper Lee title the Franklin Library published an edition bound in full leather, with gilt page edges, silk end pages, and ribbon book mark. Now while not the true first edition of the work it is the first edition (and first printing) by the Franklin Library—

First Edition Thus.

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Since 1996 Black Cat Books has been buying and selling fine used books in their brick fronted bookstore located in the heart of Sag Harbor, N.Y. From it’s inception, Black Cat Books has offered a well-chosen selection of titles for the reader and collector, presented in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Black Cat is the a place to find something great to read, a new trade paperback from your favorite author, or a out of print title you haven’t seen in years. An ever changing stock of vintage collectibles to signed first editions are presented in a well maintained and orderly shop. Open year round, seven days a week, so please feel free to stop in and check it out.

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Thank you Lee Y., for a very thoughtful review.

Click on the link below if you would like to read it:

All The Best Things Come In Black

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