How to tell if your book is a first printing?

[bookworm 1]

What now you hate boxes too.

Well its not like I live in a box.

[jhanic]

The number line on the copyright page is usually the best indicator in the newer books. If there's a "1" there, you can be sure it's a first printing. Of course, the exception to this is Black House, where the first printing has a number line with a "2".

John

[Teriw]

But I always thought the number line with a 1 means first edition, not first printing. Thats what's confusing me.

[Joe315]

The number line refers to the printing of that edition. So it could be the first printing of a second edition. So, for example, the anniversary edition of It with the number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9, or however it goes as long as it has the 1, would be the first printing if that edition.

[Teriw]

That would mean all of my Firsts editions are First Prints.

[Joe315]

Seems like that's the case.

[Teriw]

Well all of the ones with the number line. and the other ones, how to I know with them? Does the SK list on his website mean theyre first ed/first print as well?

[Joe315]

I'm not up on how to tell that a Stephen King book is a first or not. Here is a guide from kings site on first editions. If you have what's in the identifiers column you have a true first (first edition/first printing).

http://www.stephenking.com/other/ide...t_editions.pdf

[Teriw]

Thats what I went by to find my first editions but I didnt think that necessarily meant they were a first print.

[srboone]

This is the site I use; Grant mentioned it months ago in his collection when he posted his Stephen King babuskas.

http://skcollector.com/index.php

[Teriw]

Yea skcollector, stephenking.com and tdt all say the exact same thing. But all say first edition and nothing about printings which is why I wasn't clear. but if these lists are saying this stuff makes them a first PRINT then all of my first editions are first prints.

[srboone]

They should all be first prints on skcollector, that's what it's for.

[Teriw]

Well if thats what its for then he should say it because all it says is first edition.

[srboone]

Well books can go through multiple printings in an "edition", so the 13579108642 will idicate the printing; when a second edition comes out, the cover is usually changed; if not, it will usually say second edition on the copyright page.

[Teriw]

Thanks for the help guys. everything makes sense now and I have quite a few that are first/firsts...which is pretty well all my HC's. I am missing a few DJ's though, 3 maybe.