How to identify a first printing
- 1923–1930s: No statement of edition on the copyright page of first printings; subsequent printings ARE noted, so the absence of a later-printing notice indicates the first printing.
- Title-page year usually present; a title-page year matching the copyright-page year with no added printing line supports a first printing. (Confirmed example: Thornton Wilder's 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey,' 1927 — the first printing shows 1927 on both title and copyright pages with no other printings listed.)
Notable points & cautions
- A separate, later firm (founded 1923, by purchasing and renaming Lieber & Lewis) run by Albert Boni — co-founder of the earlier Boni & Liveright — with his brother Charles; not to be confused with Boni & Liveright.
- In 1926 the Boni brothers purchased the business of their uncle, Thomas Seltzer, Inc., absorbing its list (including D. H. Lawrence titles).
- Albert Boni had earlier co-founded the Washington Square Players and the Little Leather Library, and later co-developed microfilm work (Readex).
- Published Thornton Wilder's 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey' (1927), which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928.
- Later issued the Paper Books / Bonibooks paperback series (c.1929–1943), an early American paperback venture.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Paper Books, Bonibooks (reprint series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Albert & Charles Boni book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1923–1930s: No statement of edition on the copyright page of first printings; subsequent printings ARE noted, so the absence of a later-printing notice indicates the first printing. Title-page year usually present; a title-page year matching the copyright-page year with no added printing line supports a first printing. (Confirmed example: Thornton Wilder's 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey,' 1927 — the first printing shows 1927 on both title and copyright pages with no other printings listed.)
Does Albert & Charles Boni use a number line?
Title-page year usually present; a title-page year matching the copyright-page year with no added printing line supports a first printing. (Confirmed example: Thornton Wilder's 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey,' 1927 — the first printing shows 1927 on both title and copyright pages with no other printings listed.)
Is a book-club edition a Albert & Charles Boni first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A separate, later firm (founded 1923, by purchasing and renaming Lieber & Lewis) run by Albert Boni — co-founder of the earlier Boni & Liveright — with his brother Charles; not to be confused with Boni & Liveright.
What era does this cover?
This covers Albert & Charles Boni (1923–c.1939). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.