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First-Edition Identification

Antiquarian (19th-Century) Houses

First-printing identification for 18 publishers — pick a house for its number-line convention, stated-edition tells, and book-club cautions.

Bradbury & Evans1830s–20th c. (Dickens publishing 1844–1858)Originally printers who became publishers: 19th-century firsts carry no edition statement Chapman & Hall1830–1930 (Dickens era 1836–1870)No edition statement on early firsts: identify by title-page date, absence of later-printiEstes & Lauriat / Dana Estes & Company1872-1914; antiquarianNo house first-edition statement; for 19th-century books match the title-page date to the Fields, Osgood & Co.1868-1871; antiquarianNo stated-edition convention; use date agreement between title page and copyright date, wiGeorge Routledge (George Routledge & Sons)1836–20th c. (this slice = 19th c.)Primarily a reprint and cheap-edition house: most Routledge books are NOT first editions oJames R. Osgood & Company1871-1885; antiquarianFollows the inherited Ticknor/Fields practice: no first-edition statement. Match the titleJohn Murray1768–20th c. (this slice = 19th c.)No formal edition statement on most 19th-century Murray firsts: identify by the title-pageLongman (Longmans, Green & Co.)1724–20th c. (this slice = 19th c.)No edition statement on most 19th-century firsts: rely on the title-page date, the absenceRichard Bentley (Richard Bentley & Son)1829-1898No edition statement on Victorian firsts: rely on the title-page date with no 'New EditionRoberts Brothers1857-1898; antiquarianNo printed first-edition statement: identify by date agreement (title-page year matching tSampson Low (Sampson Low, Marston & Co.)1819–c.1940s (Victorian peak 1850s–1890s)No printed edition statement on 19th-century firsts: use title-page date plus absence of aSmith, Elder & Co.1816-1917 (peak Victorian fiction 1840s-1890s)No explicit edition statement in the Victorian era: first printings are identified by the T. Fisher Unwin1882–1920s (this slice = 1880s–1900)Late-Victorian house that stated editions more explicitly than the earlier three-decker fiThe Century Company1881-1933 (independent); 19c + early 20c19th-century rule: no consistent stated-edition convention — match the title-page date to Ticknor and Fields1832-1868 (firm name); antiquarianNo formal first-edition statement existed; rely on date agreement: the year on the title pTinsley Brothersc.1854–c.1888No edition statement: a first is identified by the title-page date with no later-printing Ward, Lock & Co.1854–20th c. (this slice = 19th c.)Largely a popular, reprint and reference house: confirm whether Ward, Lock issued a title William Blackwood & Sons1804–1980 (Victorian peak 1850s–1900)No explicit edition statement on Victorian firsts: identify by title-page date, absence of

Part of the First-Edition Identification hub · data: first-editions.json (CC BY 4.0).