In book collecting practice this refers to the earliest issue of the first printing of the first edition That is the only true first In the publishing industry, any issue of the book without significant content change
the first edition comprises all the copies of a book printed from the original setting of type: where there were several printings or impressions (see impression) of the first edition, the phrase, unless suitably qualified, implies the first of these
The first published appearance of a book There are many disagreements about the use of the term "first edition" in the antiquarian trade For a good explanation of the various accepted definitions see John Carter's "ABC for Book Collectors" Oak Knoll, 1992