how can you tell if a book is a true first edition,it states 1st, but not printed out first edition?

Question

also no price on dust jacket.

Answer 1

http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/writing/editions/

This site gives a wonderful lesson on how to tell first editions, among others. Give it a perusal and it should answer your questions regarding editions and printings. Two very different things.
As a general rule though, if there is no price on the dust jacket, it is probably a Book Club Edition, and not worth as much.
Best wishes

Answer 2

That's a complicated question because there is no standard. Some publishers don't list first edition at all. The absence of price on the dust jacket is a little concerning because that may mean it's a book club edition, which usually are less desirable than store editions. There are a few exceptions, like Stephen King's Carrie, which is desirable as book club because as I recall that was the first hardcover edition of that book.

I'd go to http://www.abebooks.com and do a search on your book. Read what the book dealers have written in their descriptions of the book-- often you can pick up valuable clues about different editions and printings from them. Some will describe the different book jackets to help you tell.

If you think you have a gem, contact a real rare book dealer, someone who belongs to the antiquarian book dealers association to get a reliable estimate.

Answer 3

Several places to check. 1. The Library of Congress' website at loc.gov and ask this question of the Librarian. 2. Check with both Sothbey's and Christie's auction house websites. 3. Check with several rare book sellers in town or on the web(don't get just one opinion), then if you are interested you will have a pretty good idea what the book is worth if you ever intend to sell.

Answer 4

Check with an atiquarian book dealer near you.