How to identify a first printing
- First printing: number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (lowest digit present = the printing)
- Many Abrams children's titles also state 'First edition [year]' on the copyright page
- Amulet typically prints a '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' number line; presence of the 1 indicates first printing
Notable points & cautions
- Harry N. Abrams is an art-book house (founded 1949); Amulet (launched 2004) is its middle-grade/YA fiction imprint
- Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Amulet, 2007) is the marquee collected title; true firsts are identified by the full number line down to 1, with later printings raising the lowest digit and adding bestseller/award flags to the jacket
- Modern number-line convention is reliable for this house
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Amulet Books, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Abrams Appleseed (board/picture), Abrams ComicArts (graphic, crossover), Abrams Fanfare, Cameron Kids (Cameron + Company), Magic Cat (distributed). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Abrams Books for Young Readers / Amulet Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing: number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (lowest digit present = the printing) Many Abrams children's titles also state 'First edition [year]' on the copyright page
Does Abrams Books for Young Readers / Amulet Books use a number line?
Many Abrams children's titles also state 'First edition [year]' on the copyright page
Is a book-club edition a Abrams Books for Young Readers / Amulet Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Harry N. Abrams is an art-book house (founded 1949); Amulet (launched 2004) is its middle-grade/YA fiction imprint
What era does this cover?
This covers Abrams Books for Young Readers / Amulet Books (Abrams 1949–present; Amulet 2004–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.