First Edition 'His Dark Materials'

[Ian]

I'm wondering if people can give me some help in understanding the various things that claim to be first editions of 'His Dark Materials'. By His Dark Materials, I mean the book with the black dust jacket, which contains all of the trilogy, which was first published in 2001.

There seems to be some dispute over which is which. There appear to be two early versions. One published by Scolastic, the other made especially for The Book People. They both have the number 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on the front page however. Does this make them the same. Which is the earlier version? And if there is one, which is the 'real' first edition?

Any help in clarifying would be appreciated.

[jessia]

the "real" first edition will always be the first edition u.k. copy of northern lights. published as a trilogy, it probably won't be worth too much -even autographed- 'cause they were printed in such large numbers, if that's what you're concerned about.

[Taroh]

i know that the first books published were in england and that the origial title was the northern lights, but sry thats all i know

[Ian]

i know that the first books published were in england and that the origial title was the northern lights, but sry thats all i know

Yes, that far I'd also got...

[Crazy Bear Mc.Gubbins]

i know that the first books published were in england and that the origial title was the northern lights, but sry thats all i know

Yes, that far I'd also got...

You're wrong there, I have it on good authority that the working title for the piece was The Bible and its initial production date is set some 2000 or so years in your English 'past'.

[Enitharmon]

Now if you had a first edition of Galatea, complete with Dust jacket...

[jessia]

how many runs were there of galatea?

[Melancholy Man]

Now if you had a first edition of Galatea, complete with Dust jacket...

I have a first edition of 'De Rerum Natura', complete with goat-skin binding.