What is the exact definition of a "first edition"

Mistral001

I have a copy of non-fiction book which has several "editions", but I have what would appear to be the first edition, but it is a reprint.

Can I call it a "first edition" when describing it on Ebay? I see some copies of the book are for sale on ebay and the "first edition" has BIN price much higher than the later editions.

Any help would be appreciated.

mightymole

if it's a reprint then no can't list it as a first edition. if the buyer knows his books and realises it's not a first edition leaves you open for a item not as described. take a look on inside cover as some where it will say when printed

Mistral001

mightymole wrote: »

if it's a reprint then no can't list it as a first edition. if the buyer knows his books and realises it's not a first edition leaves you open for a item not as described. take a look on inside cover as some where it will say when printed

That is what I thought. I suppose you never actually get a copy of a book with "first edition" written on it. You do get text books which are updated every three or four years and they are called 2nd, 3rd, 4th editions etc. But I suppose the first edition will not be called first edition as the author will not know if a second edition will be required until after writing the original book.

So the first edition has to be a book that says "published in xxxx" and nothing else. No "reprinted in". What about "first published in"? That implies that it has been published more than once.

vuvuzela

Good guide here : http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/bookguide/firsteditionbooks/

"First published in" means it is not a first edition.