19th-century First Editions
The same title, published in the same year, does not exist in a single form. First comes the first edition, the initial printing of the definitive text published with the author's consent. It may or may not have been printed on large paper. Then come subsequent printings, followed by subsequent editions.
Identifying a first edition requires experience and method, as well as consulting specialized works such as the Vicaire, Carteret, or Clouzot. The addition of an autographed inscription signed by the author does not make the book a first edition but adds to its value. In summary, a first edition can be of several different types. Our collection brings them all together side by side.
Daudet's Le Petit Chose(1868) is a standard copy, not on large paper, adorned with a gravure portrait based on Nadar. Zola's La Terre(1887) is a large-paper edition: one of 30 copies on Japon paper, the first printing before the 275 on Holland paper. Gide's Paludes (1895) adds the author's touch to the large-paper edition: one of 12 on Arches paper, numbered and initialed by his hand, enriched with an autograph inscription.
For the distinction between first edition, pre-publication, and counterfeit, and the collation that distinguishes them, please refer to our article [first edition article]. Members of SLAM since our founding in 2011, we apply the syndicate's standards to every appraisal.
FAQ
- Can a 19th-century counterfeit be recognized by sight?Rarely. A well-executed counterfeit reproduces the format and sometimes the typography of the original. Only collation against a reference catalog can definitively distinguish it.
- Can a copy without a colophon be a first edition?
Yes. Many 19th-century standard printings did not include one. In such cases, a complete collation, including pagination and colophon, establishes the book's status. - Is large paper worth more than a copy with an author's inscription?
The two operate on distinct rationales. Large paper derives its value from its printing rank, while the inscription comes from the author's presence and provenance. A copy that combines both, like our Paludes by Gide, brings together both scales of rarity. - How do I get a 19th-century first edition appraised?
Send a photograph of the title page, the colophon if it exists, and the binding. As SLAM members, we provide free appraisals.
