The ISBNs that don't exist...

[James]

How common is it to come across an edition that just doesn't turn up, in searches?

In my specific case, I have a copy of Donna Leon's Acqua Alta, which only contains an ISBN-13. I searched for that ISBN-13 on WorldCat and AbeBooks, then I did a Google search and it came up, "did not match any documents".

I was surprised, given that this is a 1996 trade paperback edition (as far as I can tell, as 1996 is the only date listed inside and the edition list at the bottom of the copyright page starts at 1) of a successful mystery series.

So that got me wondering if this is still common?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

It happens all the time, especially for editions that old.

It's one of the many reasons why just because an ISBN does not come up in a search, we don't consider it proof that it never was available.

[James]

Thanks for the answer.

Although I will register a formal complaint with the local Cro-Magnon Chief that you referred to 1996 as being "that old".

[lethe]

James wrote: "Thanks for the answer.

Although I will register a formal complaint with the local Cro-Magnon Chief that you referred to 1996 as being "that old"."

Haha!

[rivka, Former Moderator]

James wrote: "Although I will register a formal complaint with the local Cro-Magnon Chief that you referred to 1996 as being "that old"."

21 years IS old -- for a paperback book. I think book years have a similar proportion to people years as dog years do.

[James]

rivka wrote: "21 years IS old -- for a paperback book."

You think that's old? I own books old enough to be that book's great-great-great-great grandfather.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

As do I. Most of the oldest are hardcovers, though. And as they lack ISBNs, are very hard to find any evidence for online.

[lethe]

James wrote: "rivka wrote: "21 years IS old -- for a paperback book."

You think that's old? I own books old enough to be that book's great-great-great-great grandfather."

Perhaps rivka means "for a paperback to be found on the internet". I do think info for older editions is harder to find, especially of course the covers, but other info as well.

Great-great-great-great grandfathers tend to be hardcovers, or especially bound copies. Paperbacks are relatively new :)

[James]

lethe wrote: "Great-great-great-great grandfathers tend to be hardcovers, or especially bound copies."

I just typed great a few times, but I do have a second edition hardcover of Tarzan of the Apes. (which isn't worth anything, unfortunately) So that qualifies.