First Edition Clarification - Please

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cburks69

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Mar 25, 2020
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Being a long time SK fan, I have always read and kept his books. It was not until recently that I came into a large quantity of SK for sale at a great price. In comparing those that I already have with some of the recently acquired ones, I notice three distinct things in their differences. First, some of my own collection just had the normal CP with no unique feature, but when looking at the same title of the book that I just picked-up I have seen both "FIRST TRADE EDITION" and "First Edition" on the CP's. What's the difference in their meaning??? I get the First Publishing, First Printing, etc., but these two seem a bit confusing.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Chris
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
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Jul 10, 2006
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Welcome to the Board!

That is confusing with all the different terms used and there is also the difference between the various sizes of books and how they're described. For instance a trade edition is not always the same as a hardcover edition even if they're both hardcovers. Generally, a first trade edition is the first edition available for sale to the general public as opposed to, for example a limited edition that came out first but was not available other than in limited numbers. I'm not a collector so don't want to put myself out as an authority but perhaps there are collectors here who could assist.

Bev Vincent do you have info to share about this?

I found this site with info that might be helpful.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
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Just north of Duma Key
Being a long time SK fan, I have always read and kept his books. It was not until recently that I came into a large quantity of SK for sale at a great price. In comparing those that I already have with some of the recently acquired ones, I notice three distinct things in their differences. First, some of my own collection just had the normal CP with no unique feature, but when looking at the same title of the book that I just picked-up I have seen both "FIRST TRADE EDITION" and "First Edition" on the CP's. What's the difference in their meaning??? I get the First Publishing, First Printing, etc., but these two seem a bit confusing.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Chris

Would like possibly help
 

Bev Vincent

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,351
11,651
Texas
www.bevvincent.com
Welcome to the Board!

That is confusing with all the different terms used and there is also the difference between the various sizes of books and how they're described. For instance a trade edition is not always the same as a hardcover edition even if they're both hardcovers. Generally, a first trade edition is the first edition available for sale to the general public as opposed to, for example a limited edition that came out first but was not available other than in limited numbers. I'm not a collector so don't want to put myself out as an authority but perhaps there are collectors here who could assist.

Bev Vincent do you have info to share about this?

I found this site with info that might be helpful.

That all sounds correct to me. "First trade" as opposed to "True First" or "First Edition". In any rare cases where a Book Club Edition was issued before the commercial/public release, collectors would refer to it as a "True First". Collectors interested in First Editions are generally looking for the first public release of the book (although they may also collect limited editions). If there was never a limited edition, or it came out later, then First Trade Edition would be synonymous with First Edition.