How to identify a first printing
- 1952-c.1968 (D-series Ace Doubles, mystery): two novels bound tête-bêche (back-to-back, dos-à-dos) under a single D-prefix catalog number; the mystery doubles begin at D-1 (Keith Vining's Too Hot for Hell backed with Samuel W. Taylor's The Grinning Gismo, 35 cents, 1952). The D-number identifies the pairing. A first printing is identified by NO additional printing being listed on the copyright page — Ace's standard paperback first-edition convention, which the house applied INCONSISTENTLY (some firsts carry no statement and some reprints are also unmarked).
- Letter-price prefix logic: the D, G, S, F and K prefixes correspond to price points and bracket the issue era (the D-series is earliest, from 1952). Many Ace crime titles are reprints; the Double format frequently pairs a reprint with an original.
- Paperback originals versus reprints: where one half of a Double is an original, the Ace edition is that text's first; a copyright page lacking a prior-publisher acknowledgment confirms it.
- From about 1968-1973 onward, Ace moved toward standard number-line identification (first printing = lowest digit present). Note that the D and S prefixes denote price, not Double versus Single — some D-series titles are not tête-bêche.
- Reliability caveat: because Ace used the 'no additional printings listed' method inconsistently, corroborate firsts with catalog-number date ranges (e.g., the published Ace D/G/S checklists and Wikipedia Ace-double lists) rather than the copyright page alone.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn; first editor Donald A. Wollheim (later of DAW).
- The tête-bêche 'Ace Double' is the line's signature — two complete novels, two front covers, no conventional back cover.
- The mystery D-series (from D-1, 1952) predates the famous SF doubles; both are prized by collectors.
- First-printing identification is among the weakest of the major houses because the no-statement method was used inconsistently — lean on catalog-number checklists.
- Distinct from later Ace under Charter/Berkley/Grosset (1970s onward), which used number lines.
- The D/S prefixes indicate price, not Double versus Single; not every D-series title is tête-bêche.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Ace Double (tête-bêche), Ace Books (singles), Ace mystery D-series, Ace G/S/F/K letter-price series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Ace Books (crime / mystery) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1952-c.1968 (D-series Ace Doubles, mystery): two novels bound tête-bêche (back-to-back, dos-à-dos) under a single D-prefix catalog number; the mystery doubles begin at D-1 (Keith Vining's Too Hot for Hell backed with Samuel W. Taylor's The Grinning Gismo, 35 cents, 1952). The D-number identifies the pairing. A first printing is identified by NO additional printing being listed on the copyright page — Ace's standard paperback first-edition convention, which the house applied INCONSISTENTLY (some firsts carry no statement and some reprints are also unmarked). Letter-price prefix logic: the D, G, S, F and K prefixes correspond to price points and bracket the issue era (the D-series is earliest, from 1952). Many Ace crime titles are reprints; the Double format frequently pairs a reprint with an original.
Does Ace Books (crime / mystery) use a number line?
Letter-price prefix logic: the D, G, S, F and K prefixes correspond to price points and bracket the issue era (the D-series is earliest, from 1952). Many Ace crime titles are reprints; the Double format frequently pairs a reprint with an original.
Is a book-club edition a Ace Books (crime / mystery) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn; first editor Donald A. Wollheim (later of DAW).
What era does this cover?
This covers Ace Books (crime / mystery) (1952-present (crime doubles c.1952-c.1973)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.