how do i tell if abook is a first edition?

Answer 1

Modern books are stated "First Edition" on the CIP (Cataloging in Publication) page. Older books, it is harder to tell. Different publishers did different things. If it is a hardcover book and slightly smaller than normal, it may be a book club edition.

The numbers on the CIP page that are printed like 10 8 6 4 2 1 3 5 7 9 are edition notations. One of the numbers is removed every time the book is reprinted, so the edition is one less than the lowest number printed.

If you book is more than 10 years old, go to the library and get a book on Rare Books. There are price guides and collectors guides that detail First Edition details of different books and publishers.

Answer 2

If you mean "first edition" in the sense of not having been altered or amended since it was first published, most books are first editions unless specified otherwise. If a book is NOT a first edition, you'll usually find that information printed on the front cover, dust cover, or title page.

If you mean "first edition" in the sense of first press run, that information is printed on the copyright page. That information is found between the publisher's contact information and the Library of Congress cataloging data, if the publisher is using standard format.

Answer 3

You will see it on the first page of the book