For collectors or resellers, determining which ERB books are truly a first edition is a challenge for a couple reasons. Almost all ERB first editions from 1914 until the 1930’s lack any statement of “First Edition” as such, listing the year of publication on the title page, and the copyright date on the back of the Title Page.
Books that bear the name “A.L. Burt” or “Grosset & Dunlap” on the spine of the book are NOT first editions — they are reprints. What is confusing is that these reprints use the same year of publication as the first edition, if shown, on the Title Page; they do not include the date of the reprint anywhere. Also, the copyright page will show the original publisher “A.C. McClurg” along with the original copyright date.
In the 1930’s Edgar Rice Burroughs started his own publishing company. Books published by his company will have “Burroughs” on the spine of the book. Almost all Burroughs-published first edition books have the words “First Edition” on either the Title Page or Copyright Page.
The purpose of this website is to educate new collectors of Edgar Rice Burroughs first edition books by providing photos, descriptions and pricing information* of every book he wrote.
Many people e-mail who have reprint edition Edgar Rice Burroughs book(s) wondering about the value, but as I do not collect these I could not say. eBay has many ERB books for auction at high prices but the asking price does not represent the value of the book as few sell for those prices. Check “Sold Listings” on eBay to see what ERB books actually sell for.
— Patrick Ewing
Website began on 12/11/02. As of June 2026 the site has been upgraded to support Mobile displays and a Forum.
Work in Progress: Adding remaining dust jackets starting with originals and adding reprint publisher A.L. Burt & Grosset & Dunlap info & photos to each book starting with Tarzan of the Apes.
Work in Progress: Adding remaining dust jackets starting with originals and adding reprint publisher A.L. Burt & Grosset & Dunlap info & photos to each book starting with Tarzan of the Apes.
* ERBfirsts.com began a 3-year project on Jan. 1, 2002 which concluded on Dec. 31, 2005. Its goal was to assign an order of rarity based on how frequently each book sells at auction, and to include the approximate value for all the ERB first edition books. Refer to the “F.E.A.S.T. Reports” menu selection under Research for the results of this project.
For collectors or resellers, determining which ERB books are truly a first edition is a challenge for a couple reasons. Almost all ERB first editions from 1914 until the 1930’s lack any statement of “First Edition” as such, listing the year of publication on the title page, and the copyright date on the back of the Title Page.
The purpose of this website is to educate new collectors of Edgar Rice Burroughs first edition books by providing photos, descriptions and pricing information* of every book he wrote.
Books that bear the name “A.L. Burt” or “Grosset & Dunlap” on the spine of the book are NOT first editions — they are reprints. What is confusing is that these reprints use the same year of publication as the first edition, if shown, on the Title Page; they do not include the date of the reprint anywhere. Also, the copyright page will show the original publisher “A.C. McClurg” along with the original copyright date.
In the 1930’s Edgar Rice Burroughs started his own publishing company. Books published by his company will have “Burroughs” on the spine of the book. Almost all Burroughs-published first edition books have the words “First Edition” on either the Title Page or Copyright Page.
Many people e-mail who have reprint edition Edgar Rice Burroughs book(s) wondering about the value, but as I do not collect these I could not say. eBay has many ERB books for auction at high prices but the asking price does not represent the value of the book as few sell for those prices. Check “Sold Listings” on eBay to see what ERB books actually sell for.
— Patrick Ewing
Website began on 12/11/02. As of June 2026 the site has been upgraded to support Mobile displays and a Forum.
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Work in Progress: Adding remaining dust jackets starting with originals and adding reprint publisher A.L. Burt & Grosset & Dunlap info & photos to each book starting with Tarzan of the Apes.
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Work in Progress: Adding remaining dust jackets starting with originals and adding reprint publisher A.L. Burt & Grosset & Dunlap info & photos to each book starting with Tarzan of the Apes.
* ERBfirsts.com began a 3-year project on Jan. 1, 2002 which concluded on Dec. 31, 2005. Its goal was to assign an order of rarity based on how frequently each book sells at auction, and to include the approximate value for all the ERB first edition books. Refer to the “F.E.A.S.T. Reports” menu selection under Research for the results of this project.