Éditions originales

Qu'est-ce qu'une édition originale ?

Le terme même d’édition originale est source de débats dans les milieux littéraires. Généralement, les libraires anciens s’accordent pour dire qu’il désigne toutes les copies d'un livre qui furent imprimées avec la même configuration. Lorsqu'il comporte des changements substantiels, on parle alors de seconde édition. Une définition plus générale consiste à dire que l'édition originale d'un livre serait la première copie de l'ouvrage en question à voir le jour.

Édition originale ou première édition ?

Une première édition n’est pas nécessairement une édition originale. Il peut en effet arriver qu’un même contenu ait été diffusé par plusieurs éditeurs, auquel cas seul la première publication sera considérée comme originale.

Comment savoir si un livre est une édition originale ?

Faire appel à notre expertise

Notre librairie de livres rares possède 30 ans d’expérience dans la bibliophilie et l’expertise de livres anciens. Nous pouvons faire analyser les ouvrages que vous nous apportez pour en déterminer l’édition, mais également pour procéder à son analyse exhaustive et encyclopédique. Notre équipe d’experts établira une fiche contenant l’ensemble des informations essentielles, tant sur la forme que sur le fond de l’ouvrage.

Notre processus d’estimation est gratuit, et est agréé par les organismes de vente aux enchères et notre syndicat, le S.L.A.M. Nous pouvons nous déplacer à domicile pour procéder à l’évaluation de votre collection, y compris à l’étranger si la bibliothèque semble en valoir la peine.

What is a first edition ?

When it comes to rare and antiquarian books, first editions are particularly prized by bibliophiles and collectors. As experts in manuscripts and antiquarian books, Proyart’s is no exception. However, it's not always easy to identify first editions, so here are a few tips on how to determine what type of book you're dealing with.

What is a first edition ?

The very term first edition is a source of debate in literary circles. Old booksellers generally agree that it refers to all copies of a book that were printed in the same configuration. When it includes substantial changes, it is referred to as a second edition. A more general definition is that the first edition of a book is the first copy of the work in question to see the light of day.

First or original edition ?

A first edition is not necessarily an original edition. It can happen that the same content has been distributed by several publishers, in which case only the first publication will be considered original.

How do you know if a book is an original edition ?

In general, books published before 1900 did not indicate first or later editions. The best way to determine the first editions of older books is to refer to the date (usually on the title page). However, practices differed considerably from publisher to publisher during this period, so the best advice for pre-1900 books is to consult a reference guide.

When Western publishers began to indicate printing numbers on the flyleaf of their books in the mid-1900s, they adopted a variety of methods. Some printed the words ‘first edition’ on the copyright page of the actual first printing, and removed this reference on subsequent printings - but not all did so. In the second half of the twentieth century, many publishers added a row of numbers on the copyright page to indicate the printing. In general, if there is a ‘1’ in a row (e.g. 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 or 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1), it is an original edition.

Books may also include the words ‘first edition’… But some publishers do not remove these words, even in the second and third editions. To make matters simpler, not all publishers follow this nomenclature. In short, calling in an antiquarian book expert is still the most reliable way of identifying a first edition.

Call on our expertise

Our rare bookshop has 30 years' experience in bibliophily and the expertise of antiquarian books. We can have the works you bring us analysed to determine the edition, but also to carry out an exhaustive and encyclopaedic analysis. Our team of experts will draw up a report containing all the essential information on both the form and the content of the work.

Our valuation process is free of charge, and is approved by auction houses and our union, the S.L.A.M. We can come to your home to value your collection, even abroad if the library seems worth it. We do appraisal in Paris and wherever rare books are calling us

Don't hesitate to bring us your first editions if you wish to have them appraised, broker them or sell them at auction.You can also consult our first editions if you are looking for a particular work.