The really nice thing about the US editions is that you can collect a fine set of books which includes an early print of Sorcerer's Stone and 1/1 copies of all the other books for about $350, if you shop carefully. Therefore, just about the only editions with any financial value are first printings and signed editions. Additionally, the US printed more books in each run than did the UK. The first thing you should know about the US books is that as of this point in time they ALL say 'First Edition' on the publisher's (or copyright) page facing the title page. This also refers to the books which include the 'First Edition' denotation on the publisher's page (the page with all the printing information and numbers).įirst, let's discuss the hardcover books. By 'trade edition,' we mean those books which were meant for mass distribution in the US. One of the easiest sets to collect is the US trade editions.

Proofs and Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs).To be a TRUE FIRST EDITION, a book must be FIRST EDITION/FIRST PRINTING and (if applicable) FIRST STATE. There is also a condition known as a state, whereby something about the book or dust jacket was changed during a print run.

(This would be found in a 1/1 (First Edition/First Printing) US Goblet of Fire, for example.) The UK editions of Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix use the term 'FIRST EDITION' on the publisher's page to denote 1/1 copies. Indicates a FIRST PRINTING printed in 2000. The second set of numbers indicates what year the book was published, once again indicated by the lowest number in the set. The first set of numbers in the line indicate the print number for that particular book, which is indicated by the lowest number in the set. It is found at the bottom of the publisher's page, which is located just before the title page in most books. Everyone who is thinking about collecting books should know how to interpret this number. The book's PRINT NUMBER is the most valuable key for identifying a collectible book.

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