Guinness Record Book Collecting

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:

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 ..."
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:

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.
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:

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

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:

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.
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:

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:

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

Originally designated the Revised Sixth U.S. Edition.
This edition is ¼in shorter than the 1968 publication.
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:

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:

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:

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:

Chapters rearranged for this edition.
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:

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:

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:

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:

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

Our copy is a 2nd Printing, 1981.
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:

Our copy has a dust-jacket, with an additional picture on the back cover.
Newly Verified Records in 54 categories on pages 683-687.
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:

Newly Verified Records in 55 categories on page 528.
The ISBNs in the edition match the ones for the previous edition, so are clearly incorrect. The correct ISBN is 0-8069-0246-9.
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:

Newly Verified Records in 13 categories on page 482.
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:

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

Newly Verified Records in 24 categories on pages 467-469.
Our special edition has an introductory letter from the "Reference Service Program for 1986":

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:

Newly Verified Records in 53 categories on pages 465-469.
The third picture above shows the 1987 Special Edition, which has a "leatherette" binding.
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:

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

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

Newly Verified Records in 37 categories on pages 432-435.
"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)

Guinness World Records 2024 (Trade edition)

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 978-1-913484-43-9

Pages: 256

Price new: $21.95

Guinness World Records 2025

ISBN 978-1-913484-56-9

Pages: 256. Price New: $29.95

The skier on the cover is carrying the U.S. flag.

The first page has a US-centric set of record holders.

The editor's letter is different to the UK edition.

Pages 6 to 9 contain records from each of the 50 states.

The History of GWR section starts from 1965.

There is also a trade paperback version of this edition (right).

(ISBN: 978-1-913484-64-4, Price New $21.95, 287x221mm)