How to Read a Number Line (and Identify First Edition First Printings)

Most books include a number line which can provide valuable information about your book. This video covers how to read a number line, what information that can tell you about your book and how to identify first edition/first printings
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[@flightlessboid]

Went through a number of sources to finally answer what determines first edition AND first printing. Your video was clear and straight to the point. Thank you so much.

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

Would have been nice if you zoomed in. I can't read anything on my phone it's too small. was still interesting, cheers Graham

[@GLOBEGAMING]

Thank you

[@Beery1962]

This doesn't cover number lines that also include a year. I've seen number lines like this: 98 99 00 01 02 5 4 3 2 1 where the first set of numbers represent the year and the second the printing, and there you need to make sure the earliest year printed is the year the cook was first printed.

[@alxjalmeida]

Thank you so much, I definitely found this useful as I am trying to make sure that books I own are entered properly into a "library tracker." If you have any suggestions or videos on the best tools to use to keep track of a book collection would be interested in that as well.

[@Veronicamercer]

Mine only has a 1 , no other numbers so what does that mean

[@danjackola9231]

I have a harry potter and the order of the phoenix book. The only numbers it says are 70,69,68,21,22,23? And there's a big gap between the 68 and the 21? AS WELL AS my book is a misprint, it is missing pages 687-718, then it has pages 719-750 printed twice? HELP PLEASE???

[@Katia0216]

What if you have a numerline 10-1 and then it has 15-19? It's also a first illustration

[@Beery1962]

I'm not sure but I think in that case the double digit numbers represent the years and the single digit numbers the printing number. In that case, in order to get a first edition first printing, you need to make sure the lowest year in the line matches the year the first edition was printed, and the line includes "1" in the printing part of the number line.

[@vinnieemery7761]

I know you might not see this but do most books have first edition under the number line, I’m trying get a newer Stephen king book and any help would be truly appreciated

[@StarspangledHeart]

@@vinnieemery7761 Generally, a lot of books will qualify as first edition so just seeing that is not super important. A new edition usually has significant changes to the book and each edition tends to cover multiple printings of a book. If you are looking at collectibility, the first printing of the first edition is usually the most valuable. Later printings of a first edition tend to not have additional value on their own above cover price.

[@melleighton-carey3060]

Could you tell me what 1 through to 20 would mean? Thanks.

[@pequadcob2009]

Still means it is a first edition, most likely.

[@garciatony]

Hello, your video has been really helpful, however I've run into books that do not follow the number line convention that you've covered in this video.
Example, "10 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4" Is this a 1st print or a 10th print?
Also do you know what the 9/9 and/or 0/0 mean?

[@user-jd2mq8xw9z]

Thanks.

[@gracekim5762]

I have a number of 3 to 10 in ine of my novel.Is it a first edition then.

[@StarspangledHeart]

First edition but third printing. First edition first printings are generally the most collectible.

[@CooperTheGoosebumpsGuy]

So does 1 mean first printing?

[@komet111]

Thank you

[@inaptomatuto249]

thanks a lot!!!!!

[@bobpourri9647]

Never really explains what a number line REALLY is....I mean, why stick a whole bunch of numbers together? She also only touches on the fact that the "1" of a first edition can be ANYWHERE in the line. I give this video a C+.

[@daisybrown7644]

sounds like you are whispering

[@jameshughes1574]

I am a first/first junkie 😅