need help deciphering lingo!

For those of you who collect books: what does "1st printing, 2nd state" mean?

Now, I understand "1st printing", but what does "2nd state" refer to? A few times it was mentioned in connection with the dust jacket, if that helps.

Thanks if anyone can help.

It may mean the first printing of the second edition if I interpret this glossary correctly.

ETA: Actually, after reading also the definition of Issue, I'm not so sure. :(

"First state" or "second state" just refers to a finer level of chronological detail that "first printing," "second printing," etc. Within the first press run ("first printing") somebody notices that there's a double period on page 47, so they stop the presses, cut the double period out of the block of type, and then start up the presses again. Thus the "first state" has a double period, but the "second state" doesn't. It's just a minor variant within a printing. Obviously for serious collectors, a first edition + first printing + first state is likely to be the object of greatest desire.

For a dust jacket I'm sure it would be the same -- just a minor variant within the press run, usually the result of something that needs to be fixed. And similarly, often an object of desire.

Thanks so much guys! Highly informative!

For collectors of first editions, when they say first edition, they mean first state. See also: True First.

good to know, benjclark. Thanks!