- Title page: The title page of the first edition should read: "The British encyclopedia, illustrated." The words "New York" and "London" should appear in the imprint at the bottom of the title page.
- Volume numbers: The first edition of The British encyclopedia illustrated 1933 consists of 12 volumes. The volume numbers should appear on the spine of each book, as well as on the title page.
- Copyright date: The copyright date of 1933 should appear on the title page of each volume.
- Publisher: The publisher of the first edition was Sears, Roebuck and Company. This information should appear on the title page of each volume.
- Illustrations: The first edition of The British encyclopedia illustrated 1933 is known for its extensive use of illustrations, including photographs, drawings, and maps. Many of these illustrations are full-page, and some are in color.
- Binding: The first edition of The British encyclopedia illustrated 1933 is typically bound in brown leatherette, with gold stamping on the spine. The front cover of each volume should have a pictorial illustration, and the back cover should have a list of the major topics covered in that volume.