Book club edition checker
Book club editions often look like the publisher's first edition but are worth far less. Answer what you can about the jacket, the back board and the copyright page, and we will tell you which it is and why.
Where to look
- Front flap: a trade jacket usually prints the price at the top or bottom corner.
- Back board: tilt it to the light and look at the lower corner by the spine for a small pressed mark.
- Spine and title page: UK clubs often printed BCA or the club's name.
- Copyright page: a first edition statement or a number line with 1.
Size is not a reliable test: many club copies are the same size as the trade edition.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a book is a book club edition?
Check the jacket flap for a printed price and for the words Book Club Edition, look at the lower corner of the back board for a small pressed mark, look for a club's name on the spine or title page, and check the copyright page for a first edition statement or number line. A club name, a blind stamp or a gutter code are the clearest signs.
Are book club editions worth anything?
Usually far less than the trade first edition, often only their value as reading copies. A few club editions are collected, for example where the club edition came first, but they are exceptions.
Is a book club edition smaller than the trade edition?
Not reliably. Many Book of the Month Club copies are the same size as the trade edition, so size alone is not a good test. The jacket price, the board stamp and the copyright page are better.
What does a missing price on the jacket mean?
Club jackets usually had no price, but a trade jacket can lose its price if the corner is clipped, and a few trade jackets were unpriced. Treat it as a sign, not proof, and check the other tells.
What is BCA?
Book Club Associates, the largest British book club, which issued its own editions of popular books. BCA copies usually say BCA or Book Club Associates on the spine, jacket or copyright page.