For example, I have a book I bought last year that says first edition by the ISBN. Does that make it one as defined when books sell for a crazy amount? Or is it restricted to a few of those first printed?
(I understand the way the numbers, age, and infamy okay into value)
In: Culture
Think of it similar to “rookie cards” in card collecting. They are special because there is only 1 first edition, just as a player will only have one rookie season and during that season their cards often aren’t sought after because they aren’t popular yet. And, especially with older books, these first edition copies are usually limited in numbers so the scarcity can add value as well. People will be less likely to save and keep first editions in pristine condition when they don’t know the book is going to become historically successful. I would argue that the first print of a book no one cares about probably isn’t considered special or worth much at all.
> I have a book I bought last year that says first edition by the ISBN.
Be careful. The most collectable first editions are usually only the first impressions of the first edition, i.e., the first run of the printing press. There will often be later impressions, if the first one sells out, but the content of the book, including the ISBN, remains unchanged. The only difference will be the [printer’s key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer%27s_key) on the copyright page. A new edition involves typesetting the book afresh, typically with emendations or other changes, and that new edition will have a new ISBN, and a new printer’s key.
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