Is my The Old Man and The Sea a "First Edition"? Here’s what to know...
The Old Man and the Sea is a literary classic that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. As a book collector, owning a first edition hardcover of this Ernest Hemingway novella would be a treasure. However, it's important to know what to look for to ensure that you're getting a genuine copy. In this blog post, we'll explore what to look for in a true first edition hardcover.
The first edition and book club edition
of
The Old Man and The Sea
appear identical on the surface.
First, let's talk about the details of the first edition. The book was first published in 1952 by Charles Scribner's Sons, and the first edition points include the following:
The first edition states "A" on the copyright page.
The Scribner’s seal is also present and below the “A”.
The dust jacket has a price of $3.00 on the front flap and a photo of Hemingway on the back panel.
The text on the jacket flaps is in brown and the photo of Ernest Hemingway on the back is “olive” toned.
Now, let's dive deeper into each of these points.
The "A" on the copyright page is the most important indicator that you have a first edition. It signifies that this is the first printing of the book. If you see any other letter or no letter at all, it means that you have a later printing, which may still be valuable but not as valuable as a true first edition.
True First Edition, first printing (left) with the letter “A” present as well as the Scribner’s Seal.
The blue cloth binding with silver lettering is another important detail. The color of the cloth is a light blue, and the lettering on the spine is silver. The book measures 8.25 inches by 5.5 inches and is 140 pages long.
Many book club editions or replicas will show a “blind stamp” to the bottom rear panel near the spine. This is usually a dot, square or logo. True first editions have no blind stamp.
The first edition (top) has trimmed, clean edges while the book club edition (below) has deckled edges.
The dust jacket is also crucial in determining the authenticity of a first edition. The front flap should have the price of $3.00, and the back panel should have a photo of Hemingway.
The first edition jacket shows a price of $3.00 and is printed in brown text. Some second state jackets are printed in black text.
The first edition jacket (pictured right) shows no book-of-the-month statement nor text at the bottom corners.
The tint of the Hemingway photo on first edition jacket is in an “olive” photo tone (left), whereas most later printings and replicas are in a “blue” tone.
In conclusion, a first edition hardcover of The Old Man and the Sea is a valuable addition to any book collection.
50,000 copies were printed of the first edition, making first printings perhaps less scarce than other collectible books. However, finding one in excellent condition is quite rare and valuable. Copies range considerably in value by condition. The first printing can fetch anywhere from $300-3,000 or more depending on condition. Copies signed by Ernest Hemingway can fetch upwards of $15,000.
And also don't forget to closely examine the book and dust jacket for signs of wear and damage. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to confidently identify a true first edition of this literary classic.
