How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page states 'First published [year]' / 'First published in Great Britain [year] by Allen Lane'; a first carries no later-impression note. Penguin convention identifies firsts by the 'First published' statement (reprints read 'First Penguin edition' or note a reprint).
- Penguin-family number line on modern titles; a first printing ends in '1' (e.g. '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2', the Penguin odd-up/even-down style).
- Allen Lane is Penguin's hardcover imprint, so an Allen Lane hardcover can be the true first of a work also issued later in Penguin paperback — do not assume the paperback is the first.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1967 as Penguin founder Allen Lane's eponymous hardback imprint for serious non-fiction (history, science, politics, economics, philosophy); distinct from the mass-market Penguin paperback line.
- The original imprint carried the fuller name 'Allen Lane The Penguin Press' on early copyright pages.
- Modern Allen Lane titles follow Penguin Random House number-line conventions.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Allen Lane, Allen Lane The Penguin Press, Penguin Press (current serious non-fiction hardcover line). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Allen Lane book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page states 'First published [year]' / 'First published in Great Britain [year] by Allen Lane'; a first carries no later-impression note. Penguin convention identifies firsts by the 'First published' statement (reprints read 'First Penguin edition' or note a reprint). Penguin-family number line on modern titles; a first printing ends in '1' (e.g. '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2', the Penguin odd-up/even-down style).
Does Allen Lane use a number line?
Penguin-family number line on modern titles; a first printing ends in '1' (e.g. '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2', the Penguin odd-up/even-down style).
Is a book-club edition a Allen Lane first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1967 as Penguin founder Allen Lane's eponymous hardback imprint for serious non-fiction (history, science, politics, economics, philosophy); distinct from the mass-market Penguin paperback line.
What era does this cover?
This covers Allen Lane (1967–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.