- Written by Herbert S. Zim, Ph.D. & Hobart M. Smith, Ph.D.
- Illustrated by James Gordon Irving
The Hardcovers:
Reptiles And Amphibians was the sixth Golden Guide published. The first hardcover printing has the number 595 on the spine of the dustjacket. Copyright 1953 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. and The Artists and Writers Guild, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Western Printing and Lithographing Company. The book itself has reptile related decorated boards and a pictorial cover. The front endpaper is titled Reptiles. The back endpaper is titled Amphibians. The dustjacket and title page state 212 Species In Full Color. The letter A appears on the inside flap of the DJ along with a price of $1.50. Only 158 pages. Listed as a Golden Nature Guide.
The first revised hardcover edition of Reptiles And Amphibians was also published by Simon & Schuster. Dated 1956. I'm unsure of the price because my copy is without a DJ. Endpapers were changed to the animal related endpapers. Now has 160 pages with the letter J on page 160. Stated in the forward: In the present revision, five additional pages of information have been added, plus a listing of scientific names. (not shown, but same as image #1)
The first Golden Press edition of Reptiles And Amphibians in a hardcover is also a revised edition published in 1956. Numbered 595 on the spine of the DJ. © Copyright 1953, 1956 by Golden Press, Inc. My copy has the letter O on the last page.
The first two covers shown were published in a large (5 ¼ by 7 ¾ inch) hardcover. Image #1 has the number 63506 on the back cover. A first printing will have the letter code A on page 160 and dated 1957. A revised edition exists with a date of 1956 as well. The revisions are mentioned in the foreword.
Another revised edition exists with the letter code A on page 160. © Copyright 1953, 1956 by Golden Press, Inc. Stated revised edition on the copyright page. Letter code C on page 160. On the copyright page: Third Printing, 1964. A non-revised edition with this cover may exist. But I have yet to find a copy.
Image #2 has the number 0-307-63506-6 on the back cover. Revised 1956 edition.
The Softcovers:
The first softcover edition of Reptiles And Amphibians probably was issued about the same time as the HC edition. Numbered 495 on the spine. Copyright 1953 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. and The Artists and Writers Guild, Inc. A first printing will have the code A100100 on the inside flap of the cover. The revised Big Four logo is on the inside covers. Dummy title page and blank last page except for the words A Golden Nature Guide. (first image)
A Simon & Schuster softcover revised edition might exist. But I have yet to find a copy.
Next is the first Golden Press revised softcover edition of Reptiles And Amphibians. On the forward page it states: "In the present revision, five additional pages of information have been added, plus a listing of scientific names". My copy has the letter W on the last page. Cover price is $1.00. The reptile related endpapers are gone. The spine has a new number: 24495. (not shown)
Reptiles And Amphibians went through a minor cover change in the 80's. It has a sticker cover price of $2.95. ISBN 0-307-24495-4 located on the back cover. My copy is a PP edition. (image #2)
Another revised edition of Reptiles And Amphibians appeared in 1987 with an entirely new cover. On the forward page it states: "The present revision incorporates many changes in nomenclature, classification, common names, and distribution, reflecting the extensive research recorded since the publication of the previous edition". Cover price is $3.95. ISBN 0-307-24057-6 on the back cover. Printing code ABCDEF on page 160. Now listed as a Golden Guide. (last image)
Still in print by St. Martin's Press.
