ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, and it’s used as an identifier for books. Many books have two ISBN numbers to distinguish between different editions. Here are a few reasons why:
Edition: Different editions of the same book could have slight variations, such as updated content, the publisher’s logo, or the cover style. A different ISBN will be needed in order to accurately identify which edition a customer is ordering.
Format: Depending on the source, books can come in different formats, such as paperback, hardcover, or eBook. To make sure customers get the correct version, each format will need its own ISBN number.
Language: Books are often published in different languages for different audiences, so each language version will have its own ISBN. This helps retailers stock and ship the correct versions of books.
Price: ISBN numbers can contain different prices, depending on the store and location. The cost of a hardcover or paperback can differ from country to country, and having two ISBN numbers can help keep track of who pays what price.
In summary, having two ISBN numbers on a book helps distinguish different editions, formats, languages, and prices. It also makes it easier for retailers to stock and ship the correct version of books to customers.
If you’d like to learn more about ISBNs, you can check out this article from GS1, the official organisation responsible for creating and distributing ISBNs: https://www.gs1.org/isbn/what-is-an-isbn
