Question: I'm totally new at selling used books online, and am curious about identifying first editions. What does the row of numbers inside the cover mean? If the page doesn't say, "First Edition," does that mean it isn't a first?

ANSWER: You'd think there would be a foolproof way of identifying first editions, but it's pretty complicated since so many publisher have their own way of doing it.

Collectors who are looking for a "first edition" are actually looking for a "first printing." These are the books that roll off the presses at the time of the book's release. These books are collectible because they're scarcer and considered closest to the author's original intent. Some collectors use the term "first impression," which is synonymous with "first printing."

Sometimes, the publisher will make changes to the book's text to fix typographical errors and other mistakes during a print run. The result is different "states" of the printing. Usually collectors are interested only in the first states of first printings.

To identify the printing, first look on the copyright page for a "statement of edition" or a number line. Sometimes the page states simply, "FIRST EDITION." Keep in mind, though, publishers sometimes don't delete the words "FIRST EDITION" after the book is in subsequent printings.

Next, look for the number line, a sequence of digits usually running from one to 10 for a first edition. It may be in the usual sequence from left to right, or it may have the one on the left, the two on the right, and the ten in the center. In any case, look for the one, which every book publisher uses to identify first editions -- except Random House, that is, which designates firsts with a 2 on the number line, followed by the words "FIRST EDITION."

If you don't see a statement of edition or a statement of printing, look for something like this: "First published in 1965." That's a good sign, since a publisher who indicates when the book was first published will indicate subsequent printings also. With older books, one way of determining edition is by comparing the copyright page date with the title page date.

And beware of book club printings. Sometimes the copyright page of a book club edition can read "FIRST EDITION." But of course it is not.

See a real-time list of the most highly sought after used and collectible books.

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Steve Weber is author of "The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site" (ISBN 0977240606). Got a question for Steve? Send to: steve_weber@yahoo.com