How to Identify a Bantam (mystery/thriller mass-market) First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Bantam used a code on the copyright page indicating printing and date in some eras; in the modern era a descending number line ending in '1' marks the first printing.
• Mass-market originals: the paperback is the first edition; reprints of hardcovers are firsts-thus only.
• Bantam serial/control number plus printing statement ('First Bantam edition / month year') fixes the printing.

Notable points & cautions

• Black Lizard (founded by Barry Gifford, later absorbed into Random House's Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) reprinted noir (Jim Thompson, David Goodis) — those are reprints of mid-century firsts, valuable as revivals but not original firsts.
• Bantam Crime Line was a 1980s-90s mystery imprint; identify by the Crime Line logo plus number line.
• Don't confuse a 'First Bantam edition' (first paperback) with the true first hardcover from another house.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Bantam Books, Bantam Crime Line, Black Lizard (later Vintage Crime/Black Lizard under Random House). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Bantam (mystery/thriller mass-market) book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Bantam used a code on the copyright page indicating printing and date in some eras; in the modern era a descending number line ending in '1' marks the first printing. Mass-market originals: the paperback is the first edition; reprints of hardcovers are firsts-thus only.

Does Bantam (mystery/thriller mass-market) use a number line?

Mass-market originals: the paperback is the first edition; reprints of hardcovers are firsts-thus only.

Is a book-club edition a Bantam (mystery/thriller mass-market) first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Black Lizard (founded by Barry Gifford, later absorbed into Random House's Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) reprinted noir (Jim Thompson, David Goodis) — those are reprints of mid-century firsts, valuable as revivals but not original firsts.

What era does this cover?

This covers Bantam (mystery/thriller mass-market) (1945-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.