Anyone got any tips or tricks on how to find a first edition of the hardback?  I have first editions of ALL my others, but I recently found that my EotW was not a first edition. 

 

It's not a huge thing, but it's kinda cool to have hardbacks that are all first editions.  It's also the reason I didn't try and get one of the books with Brandon's signature, because I didn't want to have to then go back and try and find 12 others (including NS)with RJ signatures, which by this time would probably be faked anyhoo.

Not sure where you live, but if you have half price books near you look there often.  I have found 1st additions there.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1326501994&searchurl=an%3Drobert%2Bjordan%26bi%3Dh%26bx%3Doff%26ds%3D30%26fe%3Don%26sortby%3D17%26sts%3Dt%26tn%3Deye%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bworld%26x%3D71%26y%3D16

 

That is for abebooks.com and a link to tEotW 1st edition, $19.02 + $4.99 shipping

Now you know that even on a 1st edition, there are several printings, so it most likely wont be the 1st printing at that price.

 

Good thing you didnt want it signed, that jumped up to $275.00 !!  There is a 1st edition 1st printing signed copy for $1000.00

You're going to want to look at encyclopaedia-wot.org's collectibles page which gives you pictures and descriptions to know that you've actually got a real first edition. There were only about 1500 to 2500 printed.