by Sven » July 26th, 2008, 5:50 pm
There's a difference between edition and printing. The best of the best would be a first edition, first printing, first state. A first edition refers to the design/type and can have several printing runs. State refers to minor changes made during the first printing run. For instance, the first edition/first printing/first state of Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls doesn't have the photographer's name under the author's photo on the back of the dust jacket. For collectors into that sort of thing, that missing credit can add hundreds to the price.
Rat! he found breath to whisper, shaking. Are you afraid?
Afraid? murmured the Rat, his eyes shining with unutterable love.
Afraid! Of Him? O, never, never! And yet -- and yet -- O, Mole, I am afraid!
Then the two animals, crouching to the earth, bowed their heads and did worship.