How to identify a first printing
- 1977-present: First/only edition by the COLOPHON limitation; the press of Crispin and Jan Elsted. The colophon states the limitation (standard editions commonly a few hundred copies, plus a smaller deluxe state), the type (frequently hand-set metal), the paper, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed.
- Many titles are issued in MULTIPLE STATES: a standard edition and a deluxe/special edition (extra suites, finer binding, sometimes leather, occasionally lettered rather than numbered). The colophon and the binding distinguish the states; verify the state against the press prospectus. Example: 'Endgrain' (1995) was limited to 430 copies, of which 50 special copies were leather-bound with a signed tipped-in frontispiece.
- Wood-engraving-rich titles (the 'Endgrain' anthology and the ongoing Endgrain Editions series, plus Shakespeare's 'Pericles') are key works; engraver credits in the colophon are an authenticity tell.
Notable points & cautions
- A leading contemporary Canadian fine press with a strong wood-engraving tradition; the press was established in 1977 in Kent, England (where the Elsteds worked with Graham Williams at the Florin Press) and moved to Mission, British Columbia in 1978.
- Watch for numbered versus lettered or deluxe states; the special/leather-bound copies are the scarcer state.
- All books are limited firsts with no trade printings; design and typesetting are by Crispin Elsted and the presswork by Jan Elsted.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Endgrain Editions (single-engraver wood-engraving series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Barbarian Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1977-present: First/only edition by the COLOPHON limitation; the press of Crispin and Jan Elsted. The colophon states the limitation (standard editions commonly a few hundred copies, plus a smaller deluxe state), the type (frequently hand-set metal), the paper, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed. Many titles are issued in MULTIPLE STATES: a standard edition and a deluxe/special edition (extra suites, finer binding, sometimes leather, occasionally lettered rather than numbered). The colophon and the binding distinguish the states; verify the state against the press prospectus. Example: 'Endgrain' (1995) was limited to 430 copies, of which 50 special copies were leather-bound with a signed tipped-in frontispiece.
Does Barbarian Press use a number line?
Many titles are issued in MULTIPLE STATES: a standard edition and a deluxe/special edition (extra suites, finer binding, sometimes leather, occasionally lettered rather than numbered). The colophon and the binding distinguish the states; verify the state against the press prospectus. Example: 'Endgrain' (1995) was limited to 430 copies, of which 50 special copies were leather-bound with a signed tipped-in frontispiece.
Is a book-club edition a Barbarian Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A leading contemporary Canadian fine press with a strong wood-engraving tradition; the press was established in 1977 in Kent, England (where the Elsteds worked with Graham Williams at the Florin Press) and moved to Mission, British Columbia in 1978.
What era does this cover?
This covers Barbarian Press (1977-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.