[Dr. Drib]

Being a book collector of long-standing, it should be noted that publishers can (and have) used different ways to signify a First Edition.

Random House, for example, back in the 70s (if my memory is correct), often started with a '2' (and no '1') to note a first printing of a First Edition.

Too, a First Edition (from another country) may not be technically true if the First Edition was published FIRST in a foreign country.

And further, Saul Bellow, a noted Nobel prize-winning author, actually decided to publish one of his books as a First Edition not as a hardback, but as a trade edition, an act which caused quite a stir back in its time.

Then, there is the Unauthorized 'First' Edition of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, as published by Ace in paper, and later withdrawn from circulation.

Collecting books from specific authors can often be very convoluted and complicated, especially literature books from the 1900s and thereabouts. With technical books, it is much less complicated.

The main thing to keep in mind, however, is that Paul is essentially correct.

If one is a hardcore collector, as I am, then further information from specific publishers is needed for a complete guide when looking for First Editions.