What books are First Editions from Easton Press?
I see so many people selling Easton Press books claiming they are first editions.  Almost none of them are right.  The only true First Editions from Easton Press you can be 100% certain about are books with "Signed First Edition" stamped on the spine.  It is impossible to tell if any other book is a first edition or first printing from Easton Press.  Of course books like "To Kill A Mockingbird" will never be a first edition from Easton Press.  I would call these books first printings.  It is also impossible to tell if you have a first printing from Easton Press. 

One of the reasons it is very difficult to tell if you have a first edition/first printing of an Easton Press book is because Easton Press never changes their copy dates as they print additional copies of the same book.  Easton Press books do not have any sequence numbers indicating printing edition.  Some books may go through four to five print runs of 1000 copies each.  Other books might go through 5-8 (or more) print runs of 10,000 copies each.  They all look alike and it is impossible to tell the original print run from later print runs. 

Some Versions are Very Easy to Identify
The version of some books are very easy to identify based on the artwork..  The original Phantom of the Opera from Library of Famous Editions is much more sought after than another version from Horror Classics. .  Within each version, there may have been multiple print runs making it impossible to declare you have the original first printing.  You can only claim to have the earlier edition of the book.  The new versions seem to reduce demand for the original books, often driving their price down to almost the same level as the new book.  Over time, both versions may appreciate greatly.  (Famous Editions for Sale)  (Horror Classics for Sale)

Some Versions are Very Difficult to Identify
The artwork changes in other books are very subtle.  Some books change color while other books have minute art changes.  Dead Zone from Masterpieces of Science Fiction is a great example.  The two books almost look alike.  The first book is the original art work.  The second book is the new artwork.  One could never tell the book was reprinted except for the slight art work change.  Otherwise the two books are identical.  Even the publication page lists the original 1993 copy date.  The only difference is the color of the book mark and squares around the spines.  The original version goes for a little bit more, but it used to sell for $250 to $350 before it was reprinted.  The reprints reduced demand for the original book.  (Sci Fi for sale)

 

Be Careful of Date Claims
You even have to be careful of date claims.  Just because a book has 1975 printed on the publication page does not mean the book was made in 1975.  This is just the original date it was published by Easton Press.  The book might have been printed in 2007.  At least a seller claiming a certain date is not misleading.  The case in point is the copy of the Dead Zone pictured above.  Both books have 1993 on the publication page.  There is not another date anywhere.  The first book was printed in 1993.  The second book was printed in 2005.  This is not something I would have done as the publisher, but this is how Easton Press books are dated. 

What to Do?
If you love the book, don't obsess about the date, or the edition.  Buy the book with the artwork you love.  If the artwork you love is too expensive, buy another version from Easton Press that is more affordable.  You will still be getting all the fantastic features you look for in an Easton Press book such as gold page edges, real leather, and 22K gold insert art.  The only true First Edition from Easton Press has "SIGNED FIRST EDITION" stamped on the spine.  (First Editions for sale)

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