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U.S. Hardback Editions

The first U.S. edition was published in 1956 under the title "The Guinness Book of Superlatives". Much of the work on the first edition was done by Norris McWhirter and Peter Page (Office Manager of the London office) in the Guinness sales office in Madison Avenue, New York. As with the U.K. first edition, 50,000 copies were produced, but a lack of advertising (and poor distribution channels) meant that initially only 29,000 copies were sold.

Fortuitously, some of the first copies were bought by Morton DeWolfe of DeWolfe and Fiske, the Boston booksellers. One morning David A. Boehm (founder of the Sterling Publishing Company) was waiting to see Mr. DeWolfe when he casually picked up a copy of the Guinness Book of Superlatives. Intrigued by what he read in the book, David Boehm asked where the book had come from and determined that he would investigate further on his return to New York.

David Boehm's enthusiasm for the book and his desire to win the distribution rights resulted in him being invited to London (on route to the 1957 Frankfurt Book Fair, which was held from the 5th to the 10th of October that year) to discuss the matter. He joined the McWhirters and a number of other guests at a dinner of "roast duck and the very special crusty golden roast potatoes at which our mother was so adept in basting". The mutually beneficial partnership that followed resulted in sales of 20 million books in the first 20 years.

David Boehm and his son Lincoln allegedly re-covered 10,000 or so first editions by hand to change the title to "Book of World Records", as it was believed that the word Superlatives was confusing to U.S. readers. All subsequent editions used the title, "Guinness Book of World Records". Despite extensive marketing, it still took 4 years to sell the entire print run of the first U.S. edition. Once these had been sold, David Boehm approached the McWhirters with the idea of producing a paperback edition of the book for the U.S. market. An agreement was signed in Norris McWhirter's kitchen - the Kitchen Memo - which was the only written contract between the two companies until 1973!

In addition to the hardback editions, paperback editions were produced by Bantam Books under an agreement with Sterling Publishing.

1956 Guinness Book of Superlatives

Edition

1 (American Guinness Edition)

Publication Date

September 1956

Cover

Green

Price New $2.95

Foreword

September 1956, Rupert Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Preface The Compilers

Pages

224

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Human World", "The Natural World", "The Universe", "The Animal Kingdom", "The Scientific World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "Accidents and Disasters", "Human Achievements" and "Sport")
Illustrations Colour frontispiece, 14 black and white plates
Dimensions 10x7½ inches (252x187 mm)
Copyright Superlatives Inc.

Publisher

Superlatives Inc., 270 Madison Avenue, New York 16, New York, U.S.A.

Notes:
  1. The front and back endpapers contain small green text which starts, "GUINNESS STOUT IS SOLD IN ADEN GUINNESS STOUT IS SOLD IN AFGHANISTAN GUINNESS STOUT IS SOLD IN ALGERIA ..."

  2. According to David Boehm, only 18,000 of the initial 50,000 print run were sold before Sterling Publishing took over distribution rights in the U.S.A., though Norris McWhirter claims 29,000 in later articles.

 

1956 Superlatives Book of World Records

Edition

1 (Sterling Edition)

Publication Date

September 1956

Cover

Green

Price New $3.50

Foreword

September 1956, Rupert Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Preface The Compilers

Pages

224

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Human World", "The Natural World", "The Universe", "The Animal Kingdom", "The Scientific World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "Accidents and Disasters", "Human Achievements" and "Sport")
Illustrations Colour frontispiece, 14 black and white plates
Dimensions 10x7½ inches (252x187 mm)
Copyright Superlatives Inc.

Publisher

Superlatives Inc., 270 Madison Avenue, New York 16, New York, U.S.A. and Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Fourth Avenue, New York 16

Notes:
  1. The book is identical to the American Guinness Edition, but the "loving cup" dust-jacket has the title "Superlatives Book of World Records", and has different wording and press comments on the dust-jacket flaps.

  2. Complimentary copies of this edition were given to bookstores as promotional items.

 

1962 Guinness Book of World Records

 

Edition

American Edition (2nd U.S. Edition) Note 1

Publication Date

April 1962

Cover

White background

Price New $1.50

Foreword

October 1961, Rupert Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

304

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Human World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports")
Format Paperback c.7⅝x5¼ inches (195x134 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, New York

Notes:
  1. In the 1st Bantam edition, this edition is referred to as the 2nd American Edition. By 1971, however, it is called the 3rd American Edition. So it would appear that there is some confusion about the numbering of early editions.

  2. This is the only Sterling edition published in paperback form.

  3. According to an article by David Boehm in 1981, some copies were bound in hard covers. We now believe these copies to be "The Barman's Guinness Book of World Records" from 1963. The hardback edition is c.7¾x5⅜ inches (197x137 mm), has a foreword by Benjamin Guinness (dated March 1963), additional advertising for Guinness and claims that it "settles all arguments in your bar". 

Barman's Edition

 

1963 The Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

American Edition (3rd U.S. Edition)

Publication Date

September 1963

Cover

Orange/Green

Price New $3.95

Foreword

August 1963, Benjamin Guinness, Viscount Elveden

Pages

317

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Human World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports")
Dimensions 9x5½ inches (227x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, New York

 

1964 The Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

American Revised Edition (4th U.S. Edition)

Publication Date

1964

Cover

Orange/Green

Price New $3.95

Foreword

November 1963, Benjamin Guinness, Viscount Elveden

Pages

317

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Human World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports")
Dimensions 9x5½ inches (227x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Fourth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. We have a complimentary copy with a dust-jacket from Union Carbide. The back of the jacket lists the six Union Carbide sales offices in the U.S.A. (Dallas, Houston, Tulsa, Kansas City, Los Angeles and New York).

 

1965 The Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

American Revised Edition (5th U.S. Edition)

Publication Date

October 1965

Cover

Orange/Green

Price New  

Foreword

August 1965, Benjamin Guinness, Viscount Elveden

Pages

399

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Human World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports")
Dimensions 9x5½ inches (227x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Fourth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. There is also a copy of this edition (sometimes denoted "4th Printing") with a picture of Jim Clark's Lotus at Indianapolis in the second panel on the front cover.

  2. Our copy of the 4th Printing has a Cello-Tak logo on the copyright page.

 

1966 The Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

American Revised Edition (6th U.S. Edition)

Publication Date

September 1966

Cover

Orange/Green

Price New  

Foreword

September 1966, Benjamin Guinness, Viscount Elveden

Pages

399

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Human World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports")
Dimensions 9x5½ inches (227x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. We also have a 1967 printing of this edition, which is identical apart from the copyright page.

 

1968 The Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Revised and Enlarged American Edition (7th U.S. Edition)Note 1

Publication Date

March 1968

Cover

Orange/Green

Price New  

Foreword

January 1968, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

464

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9x5½ inches (227x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Originally designated the Revised Sixth U.S. Edition.

  2. There is also a copy of this edition with a picture of the Beatles in the bottom panel on the front cover (right).

 

1969 The Guinness Book of World Records Revised and Enlarged Edition

Edition

Revised and Enlarged American Edition (8th U.S. Edition)Note 1

Publication Date

September 1969

Cover

Orange/Green

SBN

8069-0000-8 / 8069-0001-6 / 8069-0002-4

Foreword

January 1968, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

464

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Originally designated the Revised Sixth U.S. Edition.

  2. This edition is ¼in shorter than the 1968 publication.

  3. We also have a copy of this edition in a library binding:

 

 

1970 Guinness Book of World Records Enlarged Edition

Edition

Ninth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

May 1970

Cover

Orange/Blue background

ISBN

0-8069-0004-0 / 0-8069-0005-9

Foreword

January 1970, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

544

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

 

1971 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Tenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

April 1971

Cover

Blue background

ISBN

0-8069-0004-0 / 0-8069-0005-9

Foreword

January 1971, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

608

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Our copy says "23rd Printing".

 

1972 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Eleventh U.S. Edition

Publication Date

November 1972

Cover

Orange background

ISBN

0-8069-0004-0 / 0-8069-0005-9

Foreword

August 1972, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

639

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

 

1973 1974 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twelfth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1973

Cover

Orange/Green background

Foreword

October 1973, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

672

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. We also have a copy of this edition in a library binding.

 

1974 1975 Guinness Book of World Records

 

Edition

Thirteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1974

Cover

Orange/Yellow/Green Background

ISBN

0-8069-0012-1 (Trade), 0-8069-0013-X (Library), 0-8069-0002-4 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1974, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

688

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The Business World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5¾ inches (220x146 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. One correction is given on page 687.

 

1975 1976 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Fourteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1975

Cover

Orange background

ISBN

0-8069-0014-8 (Trade), 0-8069-0015-6 (Library), 0-8069-0002-4 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1975, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Chapters rearranged for this edition.

  2. Late Records in 10 categories on page 704.

 

1976 1977 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Fifteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1976

Cover

Yellow background

ISBN

0-8069-0016-4 (Trade), 0-8069-0017-2 (Library), 0-8069-0018-0 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1976, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Late Records in 12 categories on pages 699-704.

 

1977 1978 Guinness Book of World Records

 

Edition

Sixteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1977

Cover

Orange background

ISBN

0-8069-0020-2 (Trade), 0-8069-0021-0 (Library), 0-8069-0022-9 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1977, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Late Records in 25 categories on pages 703 and 704.

 

1978 1979 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Seventeenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1978

Cover

Red/Brown background

Price New

$8.95

ISBN

0-8069-0130-6 (Trade), 0-8069-0131-4 (Library), 0-8069-0132-2 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1978, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Late Records in 41 categories on pages 702-704.

 

1979 1980 Guinness Book of World Records

 

Edition

Eighteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1979

Cover

Red background

ISBN

0-8069-0168-3 (Trade), 0-8069-0169-1 (Library), 0-8069-0170-5 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1979, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Late Records in 80 categories on pages 671-676.

  2. Simon Taylor has a copy in a library binding with a United Airlines Cargo dust-jacket (pictured right).

 

1980 1981 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Nineteenth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1980

Cover

Blue background

ISBN

0-8069-0196-9 (Trade), 0-8069-0197-7 (Library), 0-8069-0198-5 (Deluxe)

Foreword

September 1980, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

672

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Our copy is a 2nd Printing, 1981.

  2. Newly Verified Records in 57 categories on pages 651-657.

 

1981 1982 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twentieth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1981

Cover

Sky-blue background

Price New

$10.95

ISBN

0-8069-0224-8 (Trade), 0-8069-0225-6 (Library)

Foreword

September 15, 1981, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions c. 8¾x5½ inches (220x142 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. and Guinness Superlatives Ltd., London

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Our copy has a dust-jacket, with an additional picture on the back cover.

  2. Newly Verified Records in 54 categories on pages 683-687.

  3. A Special Edition was also published in this year. Throughout the 1980s, Sterling Publishing produced leatherette-bound special editions of the standard publications. Apart from the binding, these were identical to the standard editions, except that owning a special edition entitled the reader to access a 24-hour a day toll-free reference service. What stopped anyone from just calling this toll-free service is not clear.

 

1982 1983 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-First U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1982

Cover

White background

Price New

$12.95

ISBN

0-8069-0246-9

Pages

544

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 55 categories on page 528.

  2. The ISBNs in the edition match the ones for the previous edition, so are clearly incorrect. The correct ISBN is 0-8069-0246-9.

  3. We have a copy of the special edition (above) and one with a different cover (possibly a library binding?), pictured right.

 

1983 1984 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Second U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1983

Cover

Yellow background

Price New

$12.95

ISBN

0-8069-0256-6 (Trade), 0-8069-0257-4 (Library)

Pages

496

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Animal and Plant Kingdoms", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 13 categories on page 482.

  2. Due to a legal dispute with Guinness Superlatives (in fact "ARTHUR GUINNESS & SONS, PLC"), this edition was a revised and updated edition by Sterling Publishing, rather than an official edition from Guinness Superlatives.

"[Sterling] prepared new editorial material for the American market, updated those sections for which it had information on new world records, and edited the book to appeal to American readers."

 

1984 1985 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Third U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1984

Cover

White background

Price New

$12.95

ISBN

0-8069-0264-7 (Trade), 0-8069-0265-5 (Library)

Pages

479

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.,  New York

Notes:
  1. The Animal and Plant Kingdoms chapter has been renamed The Living World.

  2. Newly Verified Records in approximately 26 categories on pages 468-471.

 

1985 1986 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Fourth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

December 1985

Cover

Blue background

Price New

$12.95 or $14.95 (Special Edition)

ISBN

0-8069-0272-8 (Trade), 0-8069-0273-6 (Library)

Foreword

October 1985, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

479

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.,  New York

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 24 categories on pages 467-469.

  2. Our special edition has an introductory letter from the "Reference Service Program for 1986":

  1. There is also a small insert which contains three stickers with the Toll-Free Reference Service telephone numbers:

 

1986 1987 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Fifth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1986

Cover

Red Background

Price New

$14.95

ISBN

0-8069-4768-3 (Trade), 0-8069-4769-1 (Library)

Foreword

October 1986, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

479

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.,  New York

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 53 categories on pages 465-469.

  2. The third picture above shows the 1987 Special Edition, which has a "leatherette" binding.

  3. Our special edition has a small insert which contains three stickers with the Toll-Free Reference Service telephone numbers:

 

1987 1988 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Sixth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1987

Cover

Blue Background

Price New

$15.95

ISBN

0-8069-6598-3 (Trade), 0-8069-6599-1 (Library)

Foreword

October 1987, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

447

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe & Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts & Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "The Sports World")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 55 categories on pages 435-437.

  2. We have an unusual copy of this edition which was produced for a doll's house (though probably much later than the full size edition!). The book is ½ inch by ¾ inch.

 

1988 1989 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Seventh U.S. Edition

Publication Date

December 1988

Cover

Blue background

Price New

$16.95

ISBN

0-8069-6598-3 (Trade), 0-8069-6599-1 (Library)

Foreword

October 1988, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

447

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe & Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts & Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games & Pastimes")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 28 categories on pages 435-437.

  2. The standard edition has 16 additional colour plates before the title page.

 

1989 1990 Guinness Book of World Records

Edition

Twenty-Eighth U.S. Edition

Publication Date

October 1989

Cover

While Background

Price New

$17.95

ISBN

0-8069-5790-5 (Trade), 0-8069-5791-3 (Library)

Foreword

October 1989, Benjamin Guinness, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

479

Chapters 12 ("The Human Being", "The Living World", "The Natural World", "The Universe & Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts & Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "The Sports World")
Dimensions 9½x7 inches (241x178 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd.

Publisher

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.,  New York

Notes:
  1. Newly Verified Records in 37 categories on pages 432-435.

  2. "Sport and Games Endurance Marathons" are listed on page 437.

The 1989 edition was the last edition published by Sterling. After that, the rights returned to Guinness before the next edition was produced by Facts on File, Inc. (460, Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016). The new publishers adhered to the style of the UK editions but changed the "world records" policy adopted by Sterling in 1962: the 1990 publication states that, "This edition also marks the the first time that it has been printed in full color throughout. The editors have updated world records and added many American records never previously published". Facts on File published the Guinness Book of Records from 1990 (the 1991 edition) through to 1995 (the 1996 edition).

The Guinness Book of Records 1991

29th U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2439-1

Pages: 320

Price new: $21.95


The Guinness Book of Records 1992

30th U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2643-2

Pages: 320

Price new: $22.95


The Guinness Book of Records 1993

32nd U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2644-0

Pages: 320

Price New: $22.95


The Guinness Book of Records 1994

33rd U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2645-9

Pages: 320

Price new: $23.95


 

The Guinness Book of Records 1995

34th U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2646-7

Pages: 320

Price new: $23.95


 

The Guinness Book of Records 1996

35th U.S. Edition

ISBN 0-8160-2861-3

Pages: 320

Price new: $24.95


The 36th and 37th U.S. editions (published in late 1996 and late 1997) were produced by Guinness Media, Inc. of Six Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut, 06901-2704. The 1997 edition celebrated "forty years of history in the breaking".

 

 

The Guinness Book of World Records 1997

ISBN 0-9652383-0-X

Pages: 319

Price new: $24.95


  

The Guinness Book of World Records 1998

This edition had two different covers.

ISBN 0-9652383-5-0

Pages: 320

Price new: $24.95


Since 1998, U.S. editions have closely matched their U.K. equivalents (with minor changes related to, for example, TV links and currencies).

 

   

The Guinness Book of World Records 1999

Guinness Publishing Limited

ISBN 0-9652383-9-3

Pages: 335

Price new: $24.95 (U.S.), $29.95 (Canada)


Guinness World Records Limited published the world-wide editions from the 2000 edition onwards. Some exceptions to the similarity between the U.S. and U.K. editions are the following:

Guinness World Records 2000

ISBN 1-892051-00-1

Pages: 288

Price new: $25.95

(Available with the standard silver inset panel and the rarer gold panel on the front cover)

 

Guinness World Records 2001

ISBN 1-892051-01-X

Pages: 288

Price new: $26.95

(Available in different covers: red/green, blue/yellow, black/orange and UK-style purple/gold and purple/silver)