How to identify a first printing
- 1865-mid 20th c. (Ave Maria magazine era): a Holy Cross publishing apostolate whose early output was magazine-centered. On books of this period there is no number line; the copyright year together with the absence of any reprint or later-printing notice points to a first printing. An imprimatur dates only the approval of the text, not the impression.
- Mid 20th c.-1980s: explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. A copyright year paired with a clean printing line, and no later-printing notice, indicates a first printing.
- 1990s-present: a standard descending number line on the copyright page; the lowest digit present marks the printing, so a line that still includes 1 indicates a first printing.
- Catholic-publishing caution: read the impression line, not the imprimatur or nihil obstat date, to determine the printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded May 1, 1865 by Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the University of Notre Dame, to publish the Ave Maria magazine; it is one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic publishers in the United States and remains a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
- Imprints include Sorin Books (launched 1999) and Forest of Peace and Christian Classics (both acquired in 2003).
- Devotional, catechetical, and Catholic-school textbook focus; firsts of popular titles were printed in large runs.
- The imprimatur-date trap applies: the approval date is not the printing date.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Ave Maria Press, Sorin Books, Forest of Peace, Christian Classics (acquired). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Ave Maria Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1865-mid 20th c. (Ave Maria magazine era): a Holy Cross publishing apostolate whose early output was magazine-centered. On books of this period there is no number line; the copyright year together with the absence of any reprint or later-printing notice points to a first printing. An imprimatur dates only the approval of the text, not the impression. Mid 20th c.-1980s: explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. A copyright year paired with a clean printing line, and no later-printing notice, indicates a first printing.
Does Ave Maria Press use a number line?
Mid 20th c.-1980s: explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. A copyright year paired with a clean printing line, and no later-printing notice, indicates a first printing.
Is a book-club edition a Ave Maria Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded May 1, 1865 by Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the University of Notre Dame, to publish the Ave Maria magazine; it is one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic publishers in the United States and remains a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
What era does this cover?
This covers Ave Maria Press (1865-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.