How to identify a first printing
- c.1857–c.1875: pioneer San Francisco bookseller-publisher of California/Western literature; first editions carry the 'A. Roman & Co., San Francisco' imprint and a dated title page. No first-edition statement and no number line — identify by imprint and the absence of a later-printing notice.
- Publisher of the early Overland Monthly (founded 1868, edited by Bret Harte); the magazine bore the 'A. Roman & Company, San Francisco' imprint during Roman's ownership through June 1869. For periodical-origin works confirm the issue by the dated imprint and binding/wrapper state.
- Eastern co-imprints (New York) sometimes appear on the same title — the San Francisco imprint state is the Western first issue.
Notable points & cautions
- Anton Roman (1828–1903), a Gold Rush–era bookseller, was a key early West Coast publisher and founded the Overland Monthly that launched Bret Harte; he sold the magazine to John Carmany in 1869.
- Foundational for California/Western Americana first editions; standard 19th-century imprint/date identification applies.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: A. Roman & Co., Anton Roman. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my A. Roman & Co. book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. c.1857–c.1875: pioneer San Francisco bookseller-publisher of California/Western literature; first editions carry the 'A. Roman & Co., San Francisco' imprint and a dated title page. No first-edition statement and no number line — identify by imprint and the absence of a later-printing notice. Publisher of the early Overland Monthly (founded 1868, edited by Bret Harte); the magazine bore the 'A. Roman & Company, San Francisco' imprint during Roman's ownership through June 1869. For periodical-origin works confirm the issue by the dated imprint and binding/wrapper state.
Does A. Roman & Co. use a number line?
Publisher of the early Overland Monthly (founded 1868, edited by Bret Harte); the magazine bore the 'A. Roman & Company, San Francisco' imprint during Roman's ownership through June 1869. For periodical-origin works confirm the issue by the dated imprint and binding/wrapper state.
Is a book-club edition a A. Roman & Co. first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Anton Roman (1828–1903), a Gold Rush–era bookseller, was a key early West Coast publisher and founded the Overland Monthly that launched Bret Harte; he sold the magazine to John Carmany in 1869.
What era does this cover?
This covers A. Roman & Co. (c.1857–c.1875). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.