code: def version_of_first_item(self):
          
          try:
              sections = read_changelog(self.options)
              return sections[0]["version"]
          except(IOError, TypeError):
              return self.get_temp_tag_for_repo_creation()
docs: Try to detect the newest tag from self.options.base, otherwise
          return a special value indicating the creation of the repo.
  
          :rtype: str
          :return: Tag name to use as 'oldest' tag. May be special value,
                   indicating the creation of the repo.