How to identify a first printing
- Trade-paperback first printing carries a 'First Back Bay ... edition: [month year]' statement on the copyright page, typically accompanied by a full descending number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).
Notable points & cautions
- Trade-paperback imprint of Little, Brown and Company (Hachette Book Group); follows standard Little, Brown / Hachette number-line conventions.
- Largely a reprint imprint: the Back Bay edition is usually NOT the true first edition of the work, only the first Back Bay printing. Verify whether an earlier Little, Brown hardcover or other-publisher first exists before describing a copy as a 'first edition.'
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Back Bay Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Back Bay Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Trade-paperback first printing carries a 'First Back Bay ... edition: [month year]' statement on the copyright page, typically accompanied by a full descending number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).
Does Back Bay Books use a number line?
Trade-paperback first printing carries a 'First Back Bay ... edition: [month year]' statement on the copyright page, typically accompanied by a full descending number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).
Is a book-club edition a Back Bay Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Trade-paperback imprint of Little, Brown and Company (Hachette Book Group); follows standard Little, Brown / Hachette number-line conventions.
What era does this cover?
This covers Back Bay Books (1993–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.