How to identify a first printing
- Trade paperback and hardcover originals state the 'First published' year and carry a number line on the copyright page; the first printing is the state in which the lowest number present is '1'. UK printings commonly use a split-style line (e.g. 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2), but the exact sequence varies by printer, so rely on the lowest digit present rather than a fixed string.
- UK and US/simultaneous editions can differ in number line and ISBN — distinguish the UK first from a US printing by the imprint address and ISBN block, not by the stated year alone.
- Strange Chemistry (YA) and Exhibit A (crime) carried their own copyright-page indicia during their short 2012–2014 runs.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in 2008 by Marc Gascoigne as a science-fiction/fantasy imprint of HarperCollins UK (first titles July 2008); Gascoigne bought it out in partnership with Osprey Publishing in 2010 when HarperCollins exited; Osprey sold it to Watkins Media (Etan Ilfeld) in 2014. The parent name and address on the copyright page date the printing era.
- Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A were both closed in June 2014, making their titles short-window collectibles.
- A trade publisher identified by number line; not a limited-edition house.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Strange Chemistry (defunct YA imprint, 2012–2014), Exhibit A (defunct crime imprint, 2013–2014), Datura Books (current crime-fiction imprint, launched 2022). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Angry Robot Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Trade paperback and hardcover originals state the 'First published' year and carry a number line on the copyright page; the first printing is the state in which the lowest number present is '1'. UK printings commonly use a split-style line (e.g. 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2), but the exact sequence varies by printer, so rely on the lowest digit present rather than a fixed string. UK and US/simultaneous editions can differ in number line and ISBN — distinguish the UK first from a US printing by the imprint address and ISBN block, not by the stated year alone.
Does Angry Robot Books use a number line?
UK and US/simultaneous editions can differ in number line and ISBN — distinguish the UK first from a US printing by the imprint address and ISBN block, not by the stated year alone.
Is a book-club edition a Angry Robot Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in 2008 by Marc Gascoigne as a science-fiction/fantasy imprint of HarperCollins UK (first titles July 2008); Gascoigne bought it out in partnership with Osprey Publishing in 2010 when HarperCollins exited; Osprey sold it to Watkins Media (Etan Ilfeld) in 2014. The parent name and address on the copyright page date the printing era.
What era does this cover?
This covers Angry Robot Books (2008–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.