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Discussion: What am I up against trying to find a first edition Star Wars paperback?

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Not too concerned with condition because I want to read it, not collect & store it.  Also, is this the cover of the first printing?

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That's a good question.  I'm curious why it needs to be first edition if "collecting" isn't on your mind?  Wouldn't any early (as in, before the late 90's) edition be the same?  As far as I know, there were never any changes made to the text of the novelisations other than maye various forewords or introductions?

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canofhumdingers said:

That's a good question.  I'm curious why it needs to be first edition if "collecting" isn't on your mind?  Wouldn't any early (as in, before the late 90's) edition be the same?  As far as I know, there were never any changes made to the text of the novelisations other than maye various forewords or introductions?

Which is exactly why I want as early a printing as I can get.  I'm curious to see exactly how it's prefaced.  If there are other versions which are identical inside, I'd be fine with those too. That said;  I do think that first cover is cool looking.

By collect it, I mean in the way most people would - kept in a hermetically sealed container and locked in a temperature controlled room.  ;-)   Kidding (sort of).  I just mean it will be a copy I read like I would any other paperback, no special treatment.

 

*edit*

However, this cover looks great also.  Looks like it may have been done by the same person who did the poster that came with the soundtrack originally. Had that one hung on the wall in my bedroom as a kid, right over my desk.  That poster and the soundtrack - that was Star Wars for me that year.

 

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I found a few of the gold ones on ebay.  I'll go that route for now.  Thanks, fellas.

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I have the 1976 release.  With the Mcquarrie cover signed by Alan Dean Foster.  Would have to search for it and dig it out.

There are no differences in the text between the editions, as far as i know.

The copy i have is worn.  It is not in unread condition.  And yet the binding is intact unlike my first edition return of the jedi the illustrated edition, or warped like my empire strikes back illustrated first edition.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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I've got a hardcover 76 Sci Fi Book Club edition (which I found for $1.50 in a used bookstore :D ), and I don't think there are any forewords/prefaces in it. Although it is interesting to read the character list on the dust jacket and see things like "Chewbacca the Pirate, along with his sidekick Han Solo" :P .

http://i.imgur.com/7N84TM8.jpg

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I just bought a 1976 hardcover edition, it doesn't have forewords etc. as such but it does have several color pages with pictures/publicity shots and notes about the movie and characters and interview snippets.

Are these in the paperbacks?

Here is the front cover/dust jacket and the first page of inserts ('view image' to view full size).

 

The Monkey King - Uproar In heaven (1965) Restoration/Preservation Project

Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979) BBC 1.66:1 & Theatrical 2.35:1 preservations

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Nanner Split said:

I've got a hardcover 76 Sci Fi Book Club edition (which I found for $1.50 in a used bookstore :D ), and I don't think there are any forewords/prefaces in it. Although it is interesting to read the character list on the dust jacket and see things like "Chewbacca the Pirate, along with his sidekick Han Solo" :P .

 All the "older" paperbacks I have all have the pics and stuff.  I think the one you got is the book club edition, but I may be wrong.

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The hard cover above is indeed the book club edition.  Anchor, I found a copy of that paperbook on ebay and paid less than $20 for it.  It's in decent condition considering the age.  If you keep your eye out and save an ebay search, you may find another copy before long.  I recommend searching STAR WARS PAPERBACK 1976.  Good luck!

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I have the 1st edition hardcover (the true first edition with 183 pages).  The dust jacket is gone but it is in very good condition.  I am selling it for 250.00 which is  a steal from what I've seen.  Let me know.

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I found the same thing in a bookstore.  I was surprised to see Chewy getting a medal at the end.  Lots of interesting tid bits.  I've seen what you have online for hundreds of dollars (if it's the true 1st edition with 183 pages)

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NO... the original that I picked up in early 1976 had a GOLD /Copper  cover and a pic of the original Hildebrandt Bros  Star Wars pic.I was 16 and it was just another paperback that I read that summer, I could kick myself in the ass for giving it away to a friend that was moving out of state. I WANT IT BACK NORM..... any questions hit me up....Joe Harris Star Wars Fan since 76

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Damn thats not it ,Ill Find one and post it later

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Anchorhead said:

Not too concerned with condition because I want to read it, not collect & store it.  Also, is this the cover of the first printing?

Funny thing about that art.  Luke is a girl and  Threepio is also a female like droid like the Metropolis robot.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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Hello, everyone. According to this Wookiepedia page, I have a 1st edition paperback. The ISBN number and description all match.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope_(novel)

The cover of mine matches the photo in the first post, though mine is not as bright (probably due to its age). It has 220 pages, no pics.

I also have the gold covered paperback shown in post #3. The gold covered paperback I have is labeled 30th printing, August 1983. This copy also has 220 text pages, but also a bunch of pics in the middle of the paperback.

Both copies have an identical "Prologue." The gold cover paperback also has a "movie promo" text page - nothing fancy; just names actors, editors, FX crew, a 20th Century Fox Release, etc. The gold cover paperback also says Del Rey in a couple places, whereas the 1st edition paperback does not.

I haven't read either version since I can remember. But in thumbing threw each version briefly, the text in both paperbacks appears to be the same. This is in looking at the beginning of chapters, paragraph forms, etc.

If you had any specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I don't normally lurk this part o' the forum.

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I have 3 copies of the First Edition paperback that I got on ebay for less than $10 each.  They aren't hard to find.

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Hi mate

I have that book, saved in a bag for 30 years.
It is different, in that he is called Luke Star-walker.

It was printed before the movie.

Anyway, if you want it, I’ll sell it to you for a couple hundred.

Cheers
Dan

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I just picked up a first edition paperback of the original November 1976 publishing, and the cover wasn’t amazing quality but ok since I didnt care about quality, price wasn’t bad, and it didn’t take me long to find one. Amazon, alibris, abe books, ebay is a possibility too. Hope this helps.