First Edition vs First Printing: What's the Difference?

The distinction between “first edition” and “first printing” is the most fundamental concept in book collecting, and it is the source of more confusion, more overpaid purchases, and more disappointed sellers than any other aspect of the field. Understanding what these terms mean — and how publishers use them inconsistently — is essential for anyone who buys, sells, or collects books.

The short version: a “first edition” technically refers to the first published version of a text, which may include multiple printings. A “first printing” (also called “first impression”) refers specifically to the first batch of copies produced from the same typesetting. For collecting purposes, the first printing of the first edition is what matters. Everything else is worth dramatically less.

The Terminology

First Edition

A “first edition” is the first published form of a work. It encompasses all copies printed from the original typesetting before any changes are made to the text, design, or format. A publisher might print 10,000 copies in January (the first printing) and another 10,000 copies in March (the second printing) without changing anything — both printings are technically part of the “first edition” because the text and design are unchanged.

The first edition ends when the publisher makes substantive changes — correcting errors, adding new material, changing the cover design, or resetting the type. The revised version becomes the “second edition.”

First Printing (First Impression)

A “first printing” is the specific batch of copies produced in the initial print run. If the publisher printed 5,000 copies in the first run and then printed another 5,000 copies in a second run (even without any changes), the second run is a “second printing” of the first edition.

For collectors, the first printing is the prize. A first printing of a significant book might be worth $10,000; a second printing of the same book might be worth $100. The distinction is that consequential.

Why the Confusion Exists

Publishers use “first edition” loosely. Many publishers print “First Edition” on the copyright page of every printing, only removing it when they move to a genuinely new edition. This means that the words “First Edition” on the copyright page do not necessarily indicate a first printing. You must look at additional indicators — primarily the number line — to confirm the printing.

How Publishers Identify Printings

The Number Line System

The most common method used by modern publishers is the number line (also called the “printer’s key” or “printing line”). This is a sequence of numbers on the copyright page that indicates the printing:

Standard sequential number line:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The lowest number present indicates the printing. If “1” is present, it is a first printing. If the lowest number is “2,” it is a second printing (the “1” has been removed). If the lowest number is “3,” it is a third printing, and so on.

Publisher-Specific Systems

Different publishers use variations of the number line system:

Random House (and imprints: Knopf, Pantheon, Modern Library, etc.): Non-sequential number line: 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1 The presence of “1” confirms first printing. Random House also often states “First Edition” on the copyright page, but this alone is not conclusive — the number line is the definitive indicator.

Scribner’s (now an imprint of Simon & Schuster): The traditional Scribner’s system used a single letter: “A” on the copyright page indicates a first printing. The “A” is removed for subsequent printings. This system is critical for Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Thomas Wolfe collectors.

Little, Brown: States “First Edition” and uses a number line. Both should be present for a confirmed first printing.

Viking (and Penguin): May state “First published” with the year, plus a number line.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux: States “First edition” or “First printing” plus a number line.

Houghton Mifflin: States “First printing” and may use a number line.

Harper & Row / HarperCollins: States “First Edition” and uses a number line. Later reprints add “FIRST EDITION” in subsequent printings but remove the “1” from the number line — check the number line, not the stated “FIRST EDITION.”

Alfred A. Knopf: States “First Edition” and uses the Random House non-sequential number line. The Borzoi Books colophon (a running dog) appears on the title page and spine.

British Publishers

British publishers traditionally use different terminology:

“First published [year]” — This indicates the first edition but not necessarily the first printing if additional language follows.

“First impression” — Specifically indicates the first printing.

If the copyright page says “Second impression” or “Reprinted [year],” it is not a first printing.

Major British publishers:

• Faber & Faber: States “First published in [year].” Later printings add “Reprinted” with dates.
• Jonathan Cape: States “First published [year].”
• Secker & Warburg: States “First published [year].” Critical for Orwell collectors.
• Allen & Unwin: States “First published in [year].” Critical for Tolkien collectors.
• Bloomsbury: Uses a number line system similar to American publishers.

Common Pitfalls

Book Club Editions

Book club editions are the most common source of misidentification. They often look similar to trade first editions but are worth a fraction of the price. Identification methods:

• No price on the dust jacket flap (trade editions almost always have a price)
• Blind stamp or number on the rear board (a small impressed mark)
• Lighter weight (book club editions use cheaper paper and thinner boards)
• Slightly smaller dimensions (book club editions are often ¼ inch shorter)
• No number line on the copyright page or a different number line system

”First Edition Thus”

This phrase means it is the first time the book has appeared in this particular format — a new publisher, a new design, a new introduction — but it is not the original first edition. A “first edition thus” of a classic novel is worth a small fraction of the true first edition.

Facsimile and Reprint Editions

Some publishers produce facsimile editions that replicate the appearance of first editions. These are identified by the actual publisher information (usually on the copyright page or colophon), which will indicate the reprint publisher rather than the original publisher.

”First [Publisher] Edition”

“First Vintage Edition” or “First Penguin Edition” means it is the first time this publisher has issued the book — not that it is the overall first edition. These are reprints.

The Practical Test

When evaluating whether a book is a collectible first printing:

1. Check the publisher: Is this the original publisher? (Use a bibliographic reference if unsure.)
2. Check the copyright page: Does it state “First Edition” or “First Printing”?
3. Check the number line: Is “1” present in the number line?
4. Check for book club indicators: No price on jacket? Blind stamp on rear board? Lighter weight?
5. Check the date: Does the copyright date match the known first publication date?

If all five checks pass, you likely have a first printing of the first edition — the collectible version. If any check fails, investigate further before paying first-printing prices.

Why First Printings Matter

The collector’s premium for first printings is not arbitrary — it reflects several real factors:

• Historical significance: The first printing is the version the author held, the version the first reviewers read, the version that entered the cultural conversation
• Scarcity: First printings are always the smallest printing of a successful book (if the book fails, all printings are small and cheap)
• Textual priority: The first printing may contain errors, variant readings, or other textual features that were corrected in later printings — these “issue points” are often the markers that distinguish the most valuable copies
• Condition scarcity: First printings were purchased by the earliest readers, who often read and handled them before the book became collectible. Fine-condition first printings of popular books are genuinely scarce.