How to Identify a Atlantic Monthly Press First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Pre-1925: did not use a first-edition statement, did not consistently put the publication date on the title page, and did not always list later printings — identification relies on dust jacket, ads, and binding points.
• Late 1920s–1930s: 'Published (Month, Year)' on the copyright page with no additional printings listed indicates a first printing. From 1940 onward 'First Edition' was added above the 'Published' line, while 'Published (Month, Year)' carried over onto reprints (with 'First Edition' removed).
• Since 1988: first printings state 'First Edition' and 'First Printing' on the copyright page (this convention predates and is independent of the 1993 Grove/Atlantic merger).
• Modern (Grove/Atlantic era): copyright-page printing statement and/or a number row with '1' for a first printing.

Notable points & cautions

• From 1925, Little, Brown handled publication of Atlantic Monthly Press books, so Little, Brown copyright-page practice became the standard for dating these printings (look for the joint imprint).
• Merged into Grove/Atlantic in 1993; since then it has been the hardcover literary imprint of Grove/Atlantic.
• Distinguish the early-20th-century Boston Atlantic Monthly Press from the modern Grove-era imprint — the identification rule differs by era.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Grove/Atlantic (parent since 1993). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Atlantic Monthly Press book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Pre-1925: did not use a first-edition statement, did not consistently put the publication date on the title page, and did not always list later printings — identification relies on dust jacket, ads, and binding points. Late 1920s–1930s: 'Published (Month, Year)' on the copyright page with no additional printings listed indicates a first printing. From 1940 onward 'First Edition' was added above the 'Published' line, while 'Published (Month, Year)' carried over onto reprints (with 'First Edition' removed).

Does Atlantic Monthly Press use a number line?

Late 1920s–1930s: 'Published (Month, Year)' on the copyright page with no additional printings listed indicates a first printing. From 1940 onward 'First Edition' was added above the 'Published' line, while 'Published (Month, Year)' carried over onto reprints (with 'First Edition' removed).

Is a book-club edition a Atlantic Monthly Press first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. From 1925, Little, Brown handled publication of Atlantic Monthly Press books, so Little, Brown copyright-page practice became the standard for dating these printings (look for the joint imprint).

What era does this cover?

This covers Atlantic Monthly Press (1917–present (Grove/Atlantic imprint since 1993)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.