How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Birlinn Ltd' (West Newington House, 10 Newington Road, Edinburgh) with a descending number line; a first printing has the digit 1 present.
- The imprint line names the specific Birlinn imprint (Polygon, John Donald, etc.); match the imprint to attribute the book correctly within the group.
- A first state shows the first-published year, the 1 in the number line, and no later-impression notice.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1992 by Hugh Andrew; a major independent Scottish trade publisher.
- Acquired Polygon (2002), the John Donald academic imprint, and Mercat Press (2007), consolidating several Scottish lists.
- Largely Scottish-interest non-fiction; literary fiction and poetry are published mostly through the Polygon imprint.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Birlinn, Polygon, John Donald, Mercat Press (acquired 2007), Arena Sport, BC Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Birlinn Ltd book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Birlinn Ltd' (West Newington House, 10 Newington Road, Edinburgh) with a descending number line; a first printing has the digit 1 present. The imprint line names the specific Birlinn imprint (Polygon, John Donald, etc.); match the imprint to attribute the book correctly within the group.
Does Birlinn Ltd use a number line?
The imprint line names the specific Birlinn imprint (Polygon, John Donald, etc.); match the imprint to attribute the book correctly within the group.
Is a book-club edition a Birlinn Ltd first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1992 by Hugh Andrew; a major independent Scottish trade publisher.
What era does this cover?
This covers Birlinn Ltd (1992-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.