Is it true that a deckled (or uneven) fore-edge of a book indicates a first edition?

Question

I've always been under the impression that first edition printings of most hardcover books have that cool deckled fore-edge, where the pages look handcut and uneven. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this or if the deckled fore-edge is just an aesthetic choice?

Answer 1

It's just an asthetic choice. It implies nothing either way about whether the book is a first edition. Subsequent editions or printings may have the same uneven edging, and plenty of first editions don't have the uneven edging.

A very good way to tell whether a book is a first edition is if it *says* FIRST EDITION on the copyright page, or if the line of numbers on the copyright page includes a "1". e.g.

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

HBJ

Answer 2

It has to do with the printing and binding of the book. They print multiple pages on one sheet of paper then fold them and bind them before they cut then. Some times they don’t cut the pages leaving it up to the first reader to do. That is what caused the rough edge on your book.