The beginning collector of the books of the creator of TARZAN, Edgar Rice Burroughs, needs to understand a few critical 'points' concerning the editions, condition and desirability of his genre.

Online, images of the items are almost as important as the description of the works for sale.  You then can judge if a volume is FINE; VERY GOOD, GOOD, FAIR or POOR (often called a "READER'S COPY")..

The first 'point' that a collector requires to judge value is a quick understanding of the premier collectible books.  This concerns the most desirable publishers of his fictional classics.  Lack of this basic knowledge can lead to disappointment and overspending on later, generic copies of minimal intrinsic value.

There is one tricky little  problem with ERB's books: -early 'reprint' publishers (inexpensive hardbound volumes which were the  'paperbacks' of their day)  frugally re-used the original copyright pages (on the back of the title pages, usually) of the first edition printings in their 'cheap' versions. 

For example:  a first edition of his most famous work "TARZAN OF THE APES" was initially printed in 1914 and published by the Chicago company (Burroughs hometown)  A.C. McClurg.  This title, in very good or better condition, sells for $1,000 and up. 

However, several years later, a 'cheap' reprint version -by another publisher named A.L. Burt- was issued.  Confusingly,  it 'recycled' the copyright page information of the original McClurg printing rather than re-set the type for that page,  And this detail has led thousands of people to confound these early (circa 1917) reprint copies of TARZAN, by the A.L. Burt company, with the true first edition.   They are often mis-listed online with this erroneous information by uninformed sellers. 

The differences are easy to discern once you know how.  The main method is to examine the spine of the book.  It usually has the name of the publisher marked at the base.  If it says "A.C. McClurg" on any early Burroughs title, it is ALWAYS a first edition. 

It may also note, on the copyright page, further printings (e.g.- "second printing" etc.) which lessens the value of the book somewhat, depending on the rarity of the title. But it is STILL a first edition.

The color of the book is also a way to tell the difference, but is irrelevant for our pruposes here. (E.G.- The real  first edition of TARZAN OF THE APES is ONLY that one bound in  DEEP RED CLOTH with GILT GOLD TITLES on the front and spine.)  As you collect more of his works, that 'point' will become obvious.  But,  it is best to concentrate of the publisher's name on the spine base primarily, and on the title page of the book,  where it is usually also noted.  (NOTE: There are some "mixed" editions where this publisher's information is incorrectly re-cycled into a cheaper reprint copy as well, along with the wrong copyright info, but these hybrid copies can have a 'collectible' value for that mistake, thus  making them desirable in their own right -as 'flawed' editions.)

The other first edition points for determining ERB's most valuable books are: 

METROPOLITAN (late 1920's, early 1930's)   -ALWAYS a first edition.

THE MACAULAY COMPANY- one title only 'THE GIRL FROM HOLLYWOOD"- which ERB's regular publisher considered too risque for his young readers.

BURROUGHS-  (the success of his books and films about TARZAN led him to start his own book publishing firm)- which appear in dark blue cloth and bright red titles (his own cheaper reprints are 'reversed' -being bound in red cloth with blue titles) are ALWAYS first editions.  (There are two exceptions to his own 'first edition color rule'- which have grey/tan cloth: "TARZAN AND THE LION MAN" and "THE DEPUTY SHERIFF OF COMMANCHE COUNTY".)

And, from the 1960's on-

 CANAVERAL PRESS published several TRUE first editions- including: "TALES OF THREE PLANETS", "SAVAGE PELLUCIDAR", and 'JOHN CARTER OF MARS", as well as new editions of some of his old, out-of-print works.

Follow these few, simple guidelines and you will not be squandering money on mislabelled items.

The second 'point' to note is "dustjackets". 

ANY good or better condition dustjacket (also called "dustwrapper") increases the value of the book, sometimes 100%.  

These paper wrappers are most often lost, and the artists involved themelves are collectible in their own right (N.C. Wyeth, who did the cover for "THE RETURN OF TARZAN",  J.Allen St. John, Burroughs' early favorite illustrator, and one of Burroughs' own sons, JOHN COLEMAN BURROUGHS, etc.) so ERB fans/collectors are always looking for these uncommon items.  The better their condition (no pieces missing, no discolored tape/glue marks on them; no tears; no sun lightening/darkening) the greater their worth.

So, it is time to start looking for that rare TARZAN OF THE APES first edition, by A.C. MC CLURG, in its original dustjacket.  If they are both in nice shape (or better) you will have a small fortune in your pocket.

Good hunting!

barebiblios