Bookselling Question

[OvertheRainbow4U]

What does it mean when the Number Line is backwards?

Normally it starts with 10 and ends with 1. But sometimes it's the other way around, starts with 1 and ends with 10. Does that still mean Full Number Line? Thank you.

[crafters_corner_2]

Hi,

Number runs are a minefield Have a look here -might help.

Or might confuse even more

http://www.librarything.com/topic/16706

[bykimbo]

What does it mean when the Number Line is backwards?

Normally it starts with 10 and ends with 1. But sometimes it's the other way around, starts with 1 and ends with 10. Does that still mean Full Number Line? Thank you.

Number lines that start in the middle and alternate out either side are quite common too. I think they just do it to confuse us. A full line in any order *should* mean a first printing of that edition, so if there's nothing else that contradicts it, it's a reasonable assumption to make.

[Pink_Panther]

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 is a 'True' first edition in that it is a first printing of the first print run.

However! If the book sells well there may well be a second print run of the first edition. 1, 3, 5, 7,9,2,4,6,8,10 or something similar.

Generally if the number run contains the figure 1, then it is classed as a first edition.

<I'm positive I'm right! . . . . .I think?>

[crafters_corner_2]

Number lines that start in the middle and alternate out either side are quite common too. I think they just do it to confuse us. A full line in any order *should* mean a first printing of that edition, so if there's nothing else that contradicts it, it's a reasonable assumption to make.

'Should' being the minefield, Kim

I have a copy of Book and Magazine Collector which states:

"Into the 1990s, many book companies on both sides of the Atlantic started using a numbering system, sometimes coupled with a 'First Edition' statement. If you see a set of numbers on the copyright page (it can be descending: '987654321' or split: '13579108642') the smaller number printed establishes the print run. A number that stated: '98765' would be a fifth printing of that edition. When the publisher runs out of numbers and still wants to print more, they start again with a larger set of numbers (from 20 down to 11) perhaps. Of course publishing comfpanies have an uncanny knack of not always conforming to any given convention - even their own".

Like I said - a minefield!!!!

[bykimbo]

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 is a 'True' first edition in that it is a first printing of the first print run.

However! If the book sells well there may well be a second print run of the first edition. 1, 3, 5, 7,9,2,4,6,8,10 or something similar.

Generally if the number run contains the figure 1, then it is classed as a first edition.

<I'm positive I'm right! . . . . .I think?>

I think you're wrong. You seem to be saying that a publisher will do the ten print runs of one edition, then reprint again and just turn the number line around? I find that unlikely. They should use the next load of numbers 11 to 20 or whatever. I don't recall ever seeing what you say done, do you have an example?

Of course, nobody's mentioned the 88, 89, 90, 91 thing that some did with the year built-in. That's always good for a laugh too.

As Mostly says, it can be a minefield... but I still think that as a general rule, the simplest interpretation will usually apply and it's reasonable for a non-expert seller to assume full number line with no other contradictions means what it usually means!

[Pink_Panther]

Both of the examples are deffo first editions.
If the number run contains the 1 it is a first!

I'm sure a 'proper' bookseller like Bill could confirm this!

Come on Bill! YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[OvertheRainbow4U]

Thank you.

You live and learn