HELP! e-bay question re:selling books

[crazymomof4]

I feel really stupid asking this but here goes.............How do you know if you have a "first edition"? I've noticed they sell for more than other editions.

I have a hardback novel and on the inside it reads, "....is an original publication of Avon Books. This work has never before appeared in book form." There is only the copyright date listed, no other printings.
Does that make it a first edion? Or does it have to actually say "First Edition".

Anyone who knows for sure please respond!

 

[dsanner106]

Very tricky actually, there is no standard. Each publisher chooses a method for identifying editions. Most major publishers, though, on the copyright page have a string of numbers at the bottom, sometimes 1-10, sometimes 10-1, sometimes counting up, then down again. If you have this line of numbers, the lowest number in the column is the edition number, ie 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 would be a second edition.

let me know if you have other questions,

Drew

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks!
I see the string of numbers on the copyright page of other books, but not on the one that I posted the question about.