Special edition

When referring to books, collector's edition products may refer to books in special limited and numbered editions, sometimes hand-bound, and signed by the artist and containing one or more original works or prints produced directly from their work and printed under their supervision.

Limited-edition books are released in a limited-quantity print run, usually fewer than 1000 copies (much smaller than publishing-industry standards).

Popular culture widely employs Special, Deluxe, Expanded and Limited Edition in marketing, releasing subsequent, improved versions of film DVDs, music, and video games.

Companies widely use special editions and incremental improvements to sell the same products to consumers multiple times.

[citation needed] In many cases, successful film releases have had items made in limited numbers.

Items marked thus are often (but not always) released for a shorter time and in lower quantity than common editions, often with a running number (e.g. "13055 of 20000") printed on the products to boost the rarity feel, as the company implies not to manufacture more.

Edition sizes higher than about 500 are likely to be of print reproductions of paintings, of much less value, though some modern techniques blur this traditional distinction.

In UK and New Zealand the Fine Art Trade Guild ensures the quality and verification of limited edition prints by employing a number of strictly administered regulations for all processes and aspects related to them.

[7][8] The Georgia Print Law written by (former) State Representative Chesley V. Morton, became effective July 1, 1986.

[7] A limited edition is normally hand signed and numbered by the artist, typically in pencil, in the form (e.g.): 14/100.

Generally, the special package is only produced for the first pressing or a set number of copies - some are limited to only being sold at one chain of retailers.

It is important to distinguish this from an expanded re-release, since those are generally available widely and for a long period of time.

The consumer may be persuaded to purchase multiple editions, with the belief that the additional features or content will be worth paying for a product that is largely equivalent to one already owned.