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How Do I Tell If a Stewart Edward White Book Is a First Edition?

Whether you are a fan or a collector of the late natural history and spiritualist fiction writer, Stewart Edward White, knowing whether you have a first edition of one of White's books can help you build a valuable collection -- or know how to price an edition should you ever decide to offer it for sale or trade. Since different presses use different methods to make their first editions, determining if your specific book is a first edition requires examination of the book and a bit of detective work.

Instructions

- 1
  Open the Stewart Edward White book to the title and copyright page. Look for a line above the copyright date that says "First Printing," "First Edition" or "First Pressing." This will tell you immediately if the volume is a first edition.
- 2
  Look at the copyright date. If one date is listed, it may be a first edition. If there are a number of dates separated with commas, it still may be a first edition, with the other dates indicating the publication of sections of the book; however; this is less likely.
- 3
  Compare the dates on the title page and the copyright date. If they are the same, the volume is more than likely a first edition.
- 4
  Examine the number line, a series of numbers and letters, which would only be present if the book was published after World War II. In most cases, if there is a numeral "1" in the number line, the book is a first edition.

Antiques