How to identify a first printing
- Pre-mid-1960s: a true first generally shows the SAME year on the title page and the copyright page (and there were typically no reprints to confuse it)
- Arkham did not number lines; the Frank Utpatel-designed colophon/device (introduced 1944) appears at the rear — reprints, when they occurred, were noted there
- Late 1960s onward: copyright page begins stating 'First Edition' or 'First Printing (<year>)' and notes later printings
- Early 1980s onward (under James Turner): explicit 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page, with later printings noted
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1939 by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei expressly to preserve H. P. Lovecraft in hardcover ('The Outsider and Others', 1939)
- Most early Arkham titles had a single small print run and were never reprinted, so an unstated copyright page is NORMAL for a first — do not mistake the absence of 'First Edition' for a later issue
- Key high spots ('The Outsider and Others' 1939, 'Beyond the Wall of Sleep' 1943) have specific binding/jacket points and tiny print runs
- Mycroft & Moran and Stanton & Lee are Arkham's sibling imprints; same era conventions apply
- Reference: 'Arkham House: The First 20 Years 1939–1959' (Derleth) and Sheldon Jaffery / Leon Nielsen bibliographies
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Arkham House, Mycroft & Moran (mystery/detective sister imprint), Stanton & Lee (general sister imprint). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Arkham House book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-mid-1960s: a true first generally shows the SAME year on the title page and the copyright page (and there were typically no reprints to confuse it) Arkham did not number lines; the Frank Utpatel-designed colophon/device (introduced 1944) appears at the rear — reprints, when they occurred, were noted there
Does Arkham House use a number line?
Arkham did not number lines; the Frank Utpatel-designed colophon/device (introduced 1944) appears at the rear — reprints, when they occurred, were noted there
Is a book-club edition a Arkham House first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1939 by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei expressly to preserve H. P. Lovecraft in hardcover ('The Outsider and Others', 1939)
What era does this cover?
This covers Arkham House (1939–present (convention shifts ~mid-1960s and early 1980s)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.