How to identify a first printing
- On a first printing the copyright page states 'Published by Black Inc. [year]' (or the relevant imprint, e.g. 'Published by Nero'), shows no reprint line, and the stated year matches the copyright year. This statement is the primary first-printing signal.
- Recent titles often carry a descending number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', where the lowest digit present indicates a first printing; treat as supporting evidence, as the line is not applied to every title across the group's imprints.
- The imprint colophon identifies the sub-brand: La Trobe University Press (a 2017 joint venture with La Trobe University) and Nero/Piccolo Nero each carry distinct imprint statements though produced by the same parent.
Notable points & cautions
- Parent is Schwartz Publishing / Schwartz Media, founded by Morry Schwartz in the 1980s; the Black Inc. imprint dates to roughly 1999–2000, not the early-to-mid 1990s.
- Quarterly Essay (since 2001) and The Monthly (since 2005) are periodicals; Quarterly Essay issues are numbered and dated and are identified by issue number, not a book number line.
- La Trobe University Press launched 2017 as a Black Inc./La Trobe joint imprint, so a co-branded copyright page dates the book to 2017 or later.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Black Inc., Nero, Piccolo Nero, Schwartz City, La Trobe University Press, Quarterly Essay (series), Australian Foreign Affairs (series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Black Inc. (Schwartz Books / Schwartz Media) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. On a first printing the copyright page states 'Published by Black Inc. [year]' (or the relevant imprint, e.g. 'Published by Nero'), shows no reprint line, and the stated year matches the copyright year. This statement is the primary first-printing signal. Recent titles often carry a descending number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', where the lowest digit present indicates a first printing; treat as supporting evidence, as the line is not applied to every title across the group's imprints.
Does Black Inc. (Schwartz Books / Schwartz Media) use a number line?
Recent titles often carry a descending number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', where the lowest digit present indicates a first printing; treat as supporting evidence, as the line is not applied to every title across the group's imprints.
Is a book-club edition a Black Inc. (Schwartz Books / Schwartz Media) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Parent is Schwartz Publishing / Schwartz Media, founded by Morry Schwartz in the 1980s; the Black Inc. imprint dates to roughly 1999–2000, not the early-to-mid 1990s.
What era does this cover?
This covers Black Inc. (Schwartz Books / Schwartz Media) (c.1999–2000–present (Schwartz parent from the 1980s)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.