What are first editions?
First editions hold a special fascination for literature lovers and bibliophiles. But what exactly is meant by this term?
Is it always a limited edition? Why are these copies so sought-after?
At Librairie Clavreuil, we are committed to promoting the first appearances of a work in the world of books.
A bibliographical definition
A first edition is the first time a text is published, often in book form, by a publisher. It is the version of the work validated or proofread by the author, and is sometimes modified in future editions.
It may be printed in only a few dozen copies, or be more widely distributed. It marks the moment when the author offers his work to his readership for the first time.
Why collect first editions?
Every first edition carries with it a piece of literary history: a text’s first encounter with the world. They allow us to read a work in its original form, without subsequent corrections or editorial additions.
It also has an affective dimension: that of holding in your hands the same object as the original reader.
These copies are sometimes enriched with an autograph inscription, an annotation or a prestigious provenance.
That’s why some first editions become highly coveted objects, by collectors and institutions alike.
Some examples of sought-after first editions
At Librairie Clavreuil, we sell first editions such as :
- Les Fleurs du Mal by Baudelaire (1857)
- Madame Bovary by Flaubert (1857)
- Voyage autour du monde byLa Pérouse (1797)
- De la psychose paranoïaque by Lacan (1932)
Each of these editions is unique: not only for its text, but also for its copy, binding and reading marks.
How to recognize a first edition?
Identifying a first edition requires a good knowledge of editorial practices, the publication context and printing references. This often involves :- Printing date and publisher;
- No mention of “new edition” or “reprint”;
- Any possible errors corrected in the following editions ;
- Deluxe copies or large ones on different paper (vellum, japon, etc.).
Why should you buy a first edition today?
Buying a first edition means establishing an intimate link with the history of a text.
It also means passing on, collecting or offering a fragment of literary memory.
📚 Discover our selection of first editions here :
➡️ Antiquarian books for sale
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