The fastest check: First printing: number line on the copyright page ending in 1; lowest digit present = the printing.
How to identify a first printing
- First printing: number line on the copyright page ending in 1; lowest digit present = the printing.
- Many titles also carry 'First published in [year]' wording on the copyright page.
- For early titles (late 1970s through mid-1980s) issued before number lines were used, identify the first by the 'First published' statement plus first-issue cover and format, not a line.
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Toronto independent founded 1975 by Rick Wilks and Anne Millyard (originally as Books By Kids; later renamed Annick from the founders' names).
- Published Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess (1980) and Love You Forever (1986); these bestsellers exist in multiple format and printing variants, so match the format and verify the number line where one is present.
- The number-line convention is reliable for modern titles; the earliest titles must be identified by format and cover points rather than a line.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Annick Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Annick Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing: number line on the copyright page ending in 1; lowest digit present = the printing. Many titles also carry 'First published in [year]' wording on the copyright page.
Does Annick Press use a number line?
Many titles also carry 'First published in [year]' wording on the copyright page.
Is a book-club edition a Annick Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Toronto independent founded 1975 by Rick Wilks and Anne Millyard (originally as Books By Kids; later renamed Annick from the founders' names).
What era does this cover?
This covers Annick Press (1975-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.