How to identify a first printing
- Number line on copyright page; first printing has the '1' present. Modern PRH-era Ballantine uses the full descending line '9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' with no edition statement, OR with 'First Edition' stated.
- Mass-market paperback originals: copyright page reads 'First Edition: (Month Year)' or 'First Printing: (Month Year)' with NO later printings listed.
- Trade hardcovers/trade paperbacks under Ballantine often state 'First Edition' plus number line ending in 1.
- Absence of any later-printing notation is the core test for the paperback originals.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1952 by Ian and Betty Ballantine; pioneer of the simultaneous hardcover/paperback original. A Ballantine PAPERBACK can be the true first edition of a title (e.g. many SF works), so 'first' may be a mass-market.
- Acquired by Random House 1973; now a Penguin Random House imprint, so post-1970s number-line convention follows RH-family style (line to 1).
- Del Rey (SF/fantasy, est. 1977) follows the same Ballantine line-to-1 convention.
- Fawcett titles (Gold Medal, Crest) carry their own pre-merger printing statements; Gold Medal paperback originals are collected as firsts.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Del Rey, Fawcett (Crest/Gold Medal/Premier), Ivy, Wellspring, One World, Owl Books (early). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Ballantine Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Number line on copyright page; first printing has the '1' present. Modern PRH-era Ballantine uses the full descending line '9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' with no edition statement, OR with 'First Edition' stated. Mass-market paperback originals: copyright page reads 'First Edition: (Month Year)' or 'First Printing: (Month Year)' with NO later printings listed.
Does Ballantine Books use a number line?
Mass-market paperback originals: copyright page reads 'First Edition: (Month Year)' or 'First Printing: (Month Year)' with NO later printings listed.
Is a book-club edition a Ballantine Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1952 by Ian and Betty Ballantine; pioneer of the simultaneous hardcover/paperback original. A Ballantine PAPERBACK can be the true first edition of a title (e.g. many SF works), so 'first' may be a mass-market.
What era does this cover?
This covers Ballantine Books (1952–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.