How to identify a first printing
- 1984-1990 (Creative Arts / Barry Gifford era, original Black Lizard): paperback reprints of 1930s-1960s noir in a deliberately pulpy mass-market look; the first Black Lizard printing carries the Creative Arts Book Company imprint and Berkeley address and shows no additional-printing line on the copyright page. Later printings add a printing notice.
- 1990-present (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Random House / Knopf Doubleday): after Random House acquired the Black Lizard name in 1990, titles appear as trade paperbacks under 'Vintage Crime/Black Lizard.' A first Vintage edition is stated as 'First Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Edition, [month year]' with a full descending number line ending in 1. This is a different entity from the original Berkeley series.
- Collector caution: the original Berkeley-era Black Lizard editions (1984-1990) are the scarce, sought-after state; the later Vintage trade paperbacks are common reprints carrying the same brand name but a different format and publisher.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded and edited from 1984 by Barry Gifford as a division of Creative Arts Book Company (Berkeley); released over ninety titles between 1984 and 1990.
- Revived Jim Thompson's reputation, helping lead to film adaptations of his work.
- Reprinted Goodis, Thompson, Willeford, Rabe, Whittington, Williams and Lionel White, plus Gifford and Nisbet originals.
- In 1990 Don Ellis sold the line (including unprinted titles under contract) to Vintage/Random House, which merged it with Vintage Crime - same brand name, different trade format and house.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Black Lizard (original Creative Arts series), Vintage Crime/Black Lizard (Random House successor). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Black Lizard Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1984-1990 (Creative Arts / Barry Gifford era, original Black Lizard): paperback reprints of 1930s-1960s noir in a deliberately pulpy mass-market look; the first Black Lizard printing carries the Creative Arts Book Company imprint and Berkeley address and shows no additional-printing line on the copyright page. Later printings add a printing notice. 1990-present (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Random House / Knopf Doubleday): after Random House acquired the Black Lizard name in 1990, titles appear as trade paperbacks under 'Vintage Crime/Black Lizard.' A first Vintage edition is stated as 'First Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Edition, [month year]' with a full descending number line ending in 1. This is a different entity from the original Berkeley series.
Does Black Lizard Books use a number line?
1990-present (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Random House / Knopf Doubleday): after Random House acquired the Black Lizard name in 1990, titles appear as trade paperbacks under 'Vintage Crime/Black Lizard.' A first Vintage edition is stated as 'First Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Edition, [month year]' with a full descending number line ending in 1. This is a different entity from the original Berkeley series.
Is a book-club edition a Black Lizard Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded and edited from 1984 by Barry Gifford as a division of Creative Arts Book Company (Berkeley); released over ninety titles between 1984 and 1990.
What era does this cover?
This covers Black Lizard Books (1984-1990 (original); 1990-present (Vintage successor)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.