The Number Line is a fairly new method of indicating the edition status of a book. This method shows a line of numbers on the copyright page, usually between 10 and 1. The sequence of the numbers varies between publishers but the basic principal remains the same – a first issue-edition-impression requires the presence of the number 1.For example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 indicates a first printing. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 would indicate a second printing and so forth.

Of course, some publishers LOVE to confuse people, so they use LETTERS. If the sequence of letters ends with an ‘a’, it is a first printing. A ‘b’ is a 2nd, andso forth.

Now RANDOM HOUSE really love to mess with people. Their first printings end with a 2. Instead of the 1 they state “First Edition”.

Make sure you check for a price in the dustjacket, because you may still actually have a Book Club edition.

But I’ll get into THAT one next time…