It is considered a book club edition rather than a true limited edition or gift edition. Fight club 3 was released in comic book form in 2019. Editions of fight club by chuck palahniuk goodreads. At bookbrowse we get asked a lot of bookrelated questions. If you sign up for the book passage first editions club, we will deliver a signed first edition of a book to your doorstep 12 times a year. Book club editions are sold to members at a good discount compared with the original issue price. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition. When a book is sold for the first time, that is called the books first edition. The reasons that book club editions are less valuable should. The mostfamous book club is the book of the month club, which began in 1926, and still exists, although with a much smaller membership than in its heyday, when to be selected by the book of the month club was a guarantor of commercial success. However like a second printing, book club editions occasionally become valuable when the value of the true first edition printing becomes astronomical. Feb 15, 2010 based on the date codes i have also seen happy hollisters examples golden witch i believe where the book club has an earlier code than the trade with first edition.
The first edition binding of to kill a mockingbird on the top with its green spine is very different than the book club edition below it with a black spine. Technically, a true first edition should be designa ted first edition, first printing, a phrase that describes a copy from the first print run of a book s first edition. Because they often look like first editions, book club editions cause plenty of confusion, and it is important to know how to identify them so you dont end up. Heres an article on the subject if youre really interested. Four friends diane keaton, jane fonda, candice bergen and mary steenburgen lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous fifty shades of grey. Need help assessing a books value dune first edition ars. The publisher may actually state the words first edition or first printing on the page. Fedpo first edition frequently asked questions what is a. The union league club was formed during the civil war. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. As weve mentioned elsewhere, first edition means the first printing of a book. Quite simply, it is the initial printing of a book after the book proofadvance copy. Does this make first editions of oprahs book club selections any more valuable.
Picture of the first edition page for harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. Book club editions for the most part see the end of this writeup for the exceptions are not of collectible value and cause a lot of confusion for many book collectors. Identifying and collecting first editions shop for books. For books, whats the difference between book club edition. Although the physical tells denoting a book club edition from the trade edition have changed over the years and differed from club to club, there is often a discrete mention of book club edition somewhere on the jacket, and there may be no isbn or year of publication on the page. Book club editions in general are worth very little usually far less than an early printing of the genuine first edition. Here is their advice for addressing a common but knotty book club problem. Book of the month club books usually bear a small square, circle, or other geometric shape on the lower righthand corner of the back cover. Also, book club edition dust jackets dj are occasionally found on first editions to replace lost or damaged jackets. If no changes are made to the book, such as a new chapter, a new preface by the author, etc. There is no such thing as a first edition book club edition.
Oct 30, 2019 gift edition released by quality book club after first edition was released. 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. Picture of the 1998 first edition dust jacket for harry potter and the sorcerers stone u. Jan 18, 2011 comparing the 1st printing 1st edition of the chamber of secrets to the book club harry potter and the chamber of secrets. Also starring andy garcia, don johnson and craig t. Nov 08, 2012 however, to most booksellers and collectors, a true first edition is both the first typeset version of the book and the first printing. Most collectors prize the first edition, first printing because it was the way the book first appeared. Since our founding in 1992, first book has distributed more than 175 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from lowincome families. If you just want the book to read it, a book club copy is fine. This statement in a book club book does not add value. So, you have just entered the world of book collecting, and have probably.
In fact, many book club editions utilize the same page as the trade editionsoften times even duplicating the first edition statements and the full number. First edition of palahniuks instantly mythic first novel, boldly signed by him in black felt pen on the title page. Need help assessing a books value dune first edition. The other major book club group is the bookofthemonth club. The reasons that book club editions are less valuable. How to identify first editions book collecting guide. How you can tell the difference between a first edition, first printing, and a book club edition of a collectible book and why it matters. A hardcover book published in 1958 by viking isnt the same as a reprint published by penguin in 1963. For many vintage books or books published by a small imprint, only 100 or so copies were run for the first edition, so they are both highly sought after and hard to find. The sequel fight club 2 was released in comic book form in may 2015. Identifying book club edition books a guide to identify. Often it is a new setting and with cheaper paper and binding. In the world of book collecting, a first edition is generally considered to be the first appearance of a work, in its first printing. First edition copies state first edition on the page and the number sequence will be 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3.
For books like princess bride, the book club was just about the only hardcover you could find and afford. The official price guide to records, 8th edition eighth edition cross reference for every charted artist 1950 thru 1985 first edition, 1st printing 1988 jan 1, 1988 paperback. A first edition is the original printing of a book. A new version of the book is then typeset, which becomes the second edition. If the publisher sells out of the first run and goes back for another printing, that second printing is not considered true first editions, even if the page says it is. First editions are distinguished from subsequent printings, as they represent the closest edition in time and intent to the authors original work.
Is a first trade edition something valuable that id want to collect or is it something that lessens the value of a book such as it being a book club edition. Comparing the 1st printing 1st edition of the chamber of secrets to the book club harry potter and the chamber of secrets. Director david finchers awardwinning 1999 film adaptation, starring edward. In most cases, books released through bookofthemonth club bomc are much nicer than book club editions bce released by the doubleday book clubs. Technically, a true first edition should be designa ted first edition, first printing, a phrase that describes a copy from the first print run of a books first edition.
Identifying first editions the new antiquarian the blog. Based on the date codes i have also seen happy hollisters examples golden witch i believe where the book club has an earlier code than the trade with first edition. Book club editions are commonly printed on cheaper and thicker paper than retail and may have cheaper bindings often newly printed books, like potter, are identical they are cheaper for the members because the book club orders 10,000 at a time and these can be added to the print run without setup cost. Mine is red, and is the first book club edition, but that is not the first first edition. Most book collectors steer clear of them with a few exceptions. Technically the phrase first edition consists of the first printing plus any additional printings of the same first edition. The third book and final book in this series which focuses on a group of high school boys who form an organization whose members stand for fairness and manliness illustrated with a glossy frontispiece and three internal glossy plates by w. Like many things in publishing, what denotes a first edition can be complex and dependent on the whims of individual publishing houses.
Its clubhouse in chicagos loop iswas the largest private clubhouse in the united states. Trim size is given because book club editions are often smaller than trade editions. Collecting book club editions book collectors librarything. To a publisher, all printings within an edition are the first edition. Unfortunately, book clubs frequently do not remove edition indicators from the plates before the book goes to print. Yukabaceraan edition of of a record distributed through mail by a record club, not sold in shops. It follows the experiences of an unnamed protagonist struggling with insomnia. Editions of it by stephen king meet your next favorite book. Harry potter book collecting the chamber of secrets 1st. I used to belong to the mystery guild book club and their editions were indeed smaller than the same title purchased from a store. At first this can become somewhat confusing because when a book becomes very popular and is often reprinted many times over a number. Each company does their first edition identification if they do any at all differently, so unless youve got a handydandy housebyhouse guide, the whole concept can make you go a bit crosseyed.
The selections will be handchosen by a small selective committee, and will include a mix of unknown authors and high potential literary stars. First edition points to identify to kill a mockingbird by. A first edition may actually go through many printings before its text is significantly. The beginners guide to identifying first editions book riot. To my surprise i see what looks like 1st edition hcs of the shining, carrie, pet sematary, salems lot. The films prominence heightened the profile of the novel and that of palahniuk. First book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need. But they lack the embossed diamond pattern on the book boards. Of course, but i think the mail distribution method was much more common, at least, all the people who i knew were members of a record club in germany got their records this way. If the initial print run of this first edition sells out and the publisher decides to produce a subsequent printing with the same typeset the book would be described.
First trade editions are the first edition available to the general public, from what i understand, but i read that they are not always the first edition. Though some clubs had stores but you had to be member to buy there. Oct 17, 2011 identifying a first edition is no simple matter. Chuch palahniuks first novel fight club was hailed as instantly mythic and firmly established his wild, mordant point of view.
But publishers are the only ones who use the term that way. While we can provide our own answers weve found its often much more useful to turn the question over to our facebook followers to get a broad range of opinions. The reason they arent worth more money is because the true first editions had a limited print run while book club editions have a larger print run thats why there are so many out there. Book club editions can usually be identified as such by one of a few telltale signs.
Book clubs frequently neglect to remove edition indicators from the plates before printing their copies. In most any hardcover modern work of fiction, the dust jacket has a price in the front flap. Ioba identifying book club editions independent online. What is the difference between first editions, first trade. A book club copy will always be a book club copy, even though it states first edition. A popular book is sometimes reissued under the imprint of a book club. However like a second printing, book club editions occasionally become valuable when the value of the true first editionprinting becomes astronomical. Lately, first edition has become widely accepted tto mean first edition, first printing when buying or selling books although, technically speaking, it shouldnt be. Inspired by his doctors exasperated remark that insomnia is not suffering, the protagonist finds relief by impersonating a seriously ill person in several support groups. A book club edition is far less valuable than the true first u. Save over 40% all preorders are available at the membership price or one member credit, and because they are shipped separately, preorders are not eligible for feature selection bundle prices. Book club editions are often a little smaller than a regular hardcover book, and may feel lighter.
This image from mywingsbooks guide to bce demonstrates the subtle differences in the smaller size of hardcover bce books. Book geeks and bookniks whats the difference between a. Finding and possessing a rare first edition book is often a goal of both the novice and expert book collector. It s true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. A first edition may actually go through many printings before its text is significantly changed, usually to correct one or more errors. If your copy is a 3rd printing, or a book club edition, it wont have the same value as a first edition.
Edition and printing can be used fairly interchangeably in talking about collectible books, especially in regard to modern fiction. Many paperback originals pbos exist in hardcover only in a book club edition. To confuse matters, a first state is a term for the first printed form a book takes each state referring to a minor change or group of changes to the type or paper. The first edition continues until the book is changed. A signed first edition is a unique addition to any library, and to dealers and collectors, a signed first edition is the most desirableand. Buy first edition books for sale at auction invaluable. How to identify first editions or a first printing of a book. Since our founding in 1992, first book has distributed more than 175 million books and educational resources to programs and. Fedpo first edition frequently asked questions book club editions. I try to differentiate between bomc and bce when i discuss book club books. If your copy doesnt have a dust jacket to compare by, there are other ways to potentially tell it its a book club edition, but without the dust jacket, its value is.