How to identify a first printing
- 1978-1990s (Parkhurst/Looney Little Rock era): No consistent 'First Edition' slug on the earliest poetry and literary titles; a first printing is identified by a matching copyright date and the absence of any later-printing notation. As the house moved into folklore and storytelling, copyright pages increasingly carried number lines.
- 1990s-2005 (folklore/storytelling peak, Little Rock): Standard small-press practice — a number line on the copyright page where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a present '1' = first printing); LittleFolk picture books typically combine a number line with a 'First Edition' statement, and later printings drop the '1.'
- 2005-present (Marsh Cove Productions / Marsh Media ownership, Atlanta children's focus): follows children's-publisher practice — lowest digit present in the number line = printing, often with a stated 'First Edition'; the imprint and copyright line reflecting the new owner and Atlanta location is the era tell.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1978 by Ted Parkhurst and Jon Looney in Little Rock as an Arkansas poetry press; six titles published by 1979.
- Evolved into a leading U.S. publisher of storytelling and folklore titles; Ted Parkhurst began a partnership with the National Storytelling Festival in 1989, and Liz Smith Parkhurst built the folklore list.
- Launched the August House LittleFolk picture-book imprint, which drew the attention of Marsh Cove Productions of Atlanta.
- Sold to Marsh Cove Productions in 2005; now a children's-focused house — Arkansas versus Atlanta imprint data is the era tell.
- Early poetry chapbooks and limited issues may carry colophon or limitation statements rather than number lines.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: August House, August House LittleFolk (children's picture books), Marsh Cove Productions / Marsh Media (parent since 2005). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my August House Publishers book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1978-1990s (Parkhurst/Looney Little Rock era): No consistent 'First Edition' slug on the earliest poetry and literary titles; a first printing is identified by a matching copyright date and the absence of any later-printing notation. As the house moved into folklore and storytelling, copyright pages increasingly carried number lines. 1990s-2005 (folklore/storytelling peak, Little Rock): Standard small-press practice — a number line on the copyright page where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a present '1' = first printing); LittleFolk picture books typically combine a number line with a 'First Edition' statement, and later printings drop the '1.'
Does August House Publishers use a number line?
1990s-2005 (folklore/storytelling peak, Little Rock): Standard small-press practice — a number line on the copyright page where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a present '1' = first printing); LittleFolk picture books typically combine a number line with a 'First Edition' statement, and later printings drop the '1.'
Is a book-club edition a August House Publishers first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1978 by Ted Parkhurst and Jon Looney in Little Rock as an Arkansas poetry press; six titles published by 1979.
What era does this cover?
This covers August House Publishers (1978-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.