Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions by Bill McBride

Publisher: McBride, 2001
ISBN: 9780930313067
ID: PJ0572

Paperback 6th edition which is the latest update.

Price in US $ 19.95

Summary: This book is a very necessary and handy reference for any book collector, whether novice or expert. A particular advantage to this book is the compact format for information on a wide variety of publishers.
Other books will have information about current or expected values (such as the Ahearn books, but before you get to the value determination, you will need to know whether or not you have a true first edition. That is the entire focus of this book. And, this is a true "pocket" guide in that it is compact, yet well cross-referenced. About the size of a daytimer calander.
I carry this with me on many business trips where I use it at used and rare bookshops around the country. It is comprehensive in the information, but not bulky or awkward to carry.
The first section contains information about general edition identification circumstances which will clear up a lot of confusion as to whether you have a book club edition, a second printing, or a true first - although it does not list any specifics about a particular book and the points identifying a first of the specific book. The next section is an alphabetical listing of publishers with a key to the listings (abbreviations) located in a handy spot inside the back cover.
I highly recommend this book as a "portable" resource for your book hunting trips.