How to identify a first printing
- Identify by edition number plus copyright-page printing detail; a first printing shows the edition's debut year and no later reprint years.
- 1974-1980s: founded by Hilary Bradt (with George Bradt); the origin title 'Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia' (1974) was written while travelling in Peru and issued without a spine, more pamphlet than book. Earliest small-run printings are identified by crude production, a single debut year, and the 'Bradt Enterprises' / 'Bradt Publications' imprint.
- 1990s-2000s: 'Bradt Publications' then 'Bradt Travel Guides Ltd'; standard copyright page with an edition number ('2nd edition' etc.) and number line, with the first printing the earliest listed.
- 2010s-present: Bradt Guides (Bath); conventional edition and number-line identification.
Notable points & cautions
- Hilary Bradt's 1974 Peru/Bolivia backpacking guide is the foundational first and is regarded as the first guide to the Inca Trail; Bradt specializes in offbeat and 'first guidebook to' countries (e.g. early Madagascar, Eritrea).
- Imprint evolution (Bradt Enterprises -> Bradt Publications -> Bradt Travel Guides Ltd) brackets the era.
- Collected by edition number; pioneer titles to obscure destinations are the prizes.
- Standard number-line conventions from the 1990s onward.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Bradt Travel Guides, Bradt 'Backpacking and Trekking' titles, Bradt Wildlife / Slow Travel guides. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Bradt Travel Guides (Bradt Guides) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Identify by edition number plus copyright-page printing detail; a first printing shows the edition's debut year and no later reprint years. 1974-1980s: founded by Hilary Bradt (with George Bradt); the origin title 'Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia' (1974) was written while travelling in Peru and issued without a spine, more pamphlet than book. Earliest small-run printings are identified by crude production, a single debut year, and the 'Bradt Enterprises' / 'Bradt Publications' imprint.
Does Bradt Travel Guides (Bradt Guides) use a number line?
1974-1980s: founded by Hilary Bradt (with George Bradt); the origin title 'Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia' (1974) was written while travelling in Peru and issued without a spine, more pamphlet than book. Earliest small-run printings are identified by crude production, a single debut year, and the 'Bradt Enterprises' / 'Bradt Publications' imprint.
Is a book-club edition a Bradt Travel Guides (Bradt Guides) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Hilary Bradt's 1974 Peru/Bolivia backpacking guide is the foundational first and is regarded as the first guide to the Inca Trail; Bradt specializes in offbeat and 'first guidebook to' countries (e.g. early Madagascar, Eritrea).
What era does this cover?
This covers Bradt Travel Guides (Bradt Guides) (1974-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.