Edition, impression, which is what?

I've got a copy of Pratchett's Witches Abroad, and I'm trying to note which edition/printing it is. In the details page of the book it says:
First published in GB November 1991 by Victor Gollancz Ltd
Second impression November 1991
Third impression November 1991
Fourth impression March 1994
Fifth impression July 1999

This edition first published in GB 1998 by VGltd

So there's a Published date, impression dates, and an edition published date.

Impression is just a reprint, exactly the same as the first I guess? But edition is somewhat different?

Even then, if it's new enough to say 5th impression 1999, I suppose that's the real date of the book, but is the edition irrelevant?

Is it 2nd edition, 5th impression?

Another example:
Moving pictures
1st published November 1990
Reprinted 3 times
This edition first published 1997

So is it the 4th print run? or does one call that the 2nd edition 1997

How do these things work?

thanks for any elucidations

I am a bit surprised by your Witches Abroad, There seems to be a bit of crystal ball gazing going on if your edition was printed in 1998 and it also tells of a fifth impression being printed in 1999.

Generally an impression is when they print off another load of books using the same set-up.
Publishers will make it a new edition when they re-set the type*, make corrections, or just sometimes when they feel like.

Also publishers are not going to detail the full printing history of their books. For example "Moving Pictures" had had many editions by 1997 - by Corgi, the US publishers, even some foreign language editions. Your copy is the 5th printing by Gollancz.

First edition, first printing is usually the only edition to really care about.

* In the UK the typographical arrangement is protected under copyright.

> 2

There seems to be a bit of crystal ball gazing going on if your edition was printed in 1998 and it also tells of a fifth impression being printed in 1999.

No, it says "This edition first published in GB 1998 by VGltd". As you know, an impression and an edition are two different things. So there's no contradiction or crystal gazing necessary.

(Edited to a) close italics and b) correct spelling. I think I need a bit more caffeine.)

If you want crystal ball gazing:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
(print=) Druk: 100 99 98 97 96 95 94
(year=) Jaar: 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

I can't remember exactly when we bought this, 2011 or 2012. but wtf?

If you are a collector or legitimate bookseller you would not say this was a First Edition. You could only say that if the only information stated "November 1991 Victor Gollancz Ltd"

A collector, investor or legitimate, informed bookseller knows that any change in that statement means it is not a First Edition.

It is more complicated than that. Different publishers indicate First Editions (which to the above named groups means both first edition and first impression / printing) in many different ways and each one can change their methods at any time. McBride's Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions is a great resource for anyone really interested in identifying collectable books.

thanks for the clarifications btw.

I found some extra info:
First-Edition Identification by Publisher
and Printers Key

so for my example:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
(print=) Druk: 100 99 98 97 96 95 94
(year=) Jaar: 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

It would mean it is the 94th printing, 2010.

I may have to change how I write all the edition info, and only use 'edition' for First Editions. All the others seem to be 'printings'.