Stated 1st Edition HC book isn't a 1st edition, and this includes five separate listings of the book

[kallynbooks]

I haven't sold books on ebay for quite a while. I decided to list a few. I looked up the listings of the first book, and the headline for about 6 of the 12 copies currently listed stated in the headline "First edition hardcover." The sellers were smart enough (or clueless enough) to include photos of their copies. The copyright page of half of them did not include the standard 10 9 8 7....1 number line, which is standard issue by the publisher. In addition, the same six copies revealed there was no price imprinted on the inner flap of the d/j. My first edition has both these features. Then the coup de grace was that several of the copies revealed the copyright page and the 'BOMC' imprint was on the page, indicating it was a book of the month club edition. As I said, I haven't been selling books here for a while. Is this the general state of affairs when sellers list books as first editions?

[alcoforever]

Buyer beware has been the general state of the world for several millenia now.  Ebay is no different.

[lamber9347]

The majority of sellers wouldn't know to look for the points that you are. Perhaps some of them really do believe they have a first edition, perhaps many of them simply don't care. Caveat emptor to all buyers. Best of luck to you.... 

[maxine*j]

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@kallynbooks wrote:

 Is this the general state of affairs when sellers list books as first editions?

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Yes.  And it always has been.  Most collectors mean first edition / first print.  True firsts can be tricky to identify, even if one is conscientious.  Many sellers, if not most, are not at all conscientious.  Many, if not most, do not know a copyright date from a publication date.  Many, if not most, use the term "antique book," which is never used in the bookselling trade, and they apply it to books that are not even a hundred years old, at that.   Many, if not most, can't tell a facsimile signature from the real thing.  I could go on but will spare you.

In short, there are still a great many bargains to be found on eBay by people who do know their onions.  And the ones who do not, buyers or sellers, are not my concern. 

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