How to identify a first printing
- 1990-present: Independent Wellington publisher founded in 1990 by Bridget Williams, who bought the New Zealand list she had developed as managing director of Allen & Unwin NZ when its parent was sold. First editions are identified by a 'First published 19xx/20xx by Bridget Williams Books' statement on the copyright/imprint page; reprints add 'Reprinted' lines, so a first printing carries no reprint history below the 'First published' line.
- From 1995 to 1998 some titles appeared under a joint imprint with Auckland University Press before the house returned to fully independent status; check the imprint line for this period. From 2013, BWB Texts (a series of short books, issued first as e-books then as paperbacks) each constitute a single first printing unless a reprint line is added — identify by the series and the 'First published' year. Where a number line appears on trade titles, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Leading New Zealand publisher of history, politics and Treaty of Waitangi / Maori scholarship, with strengths in women's history (authors include Anne Salmond and Judith Binney).
- The BWB Texts series (from 2013) is a distinctive short-book line, launched first as e-books.
- Founder Bridget Williams co-founded Port Nicholson Press (1981) and was managing director of Allen & Unwin NZ before establishing this eponymous house in 1990.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Bridget Williams Books, BWB, BWB Texts (short-book series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Bridget Williams Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1990-present: Independent Wellington publisher founded in 1990 by Bridget Williams, who bought the New Zealand list she had developed as managing director of Allen & Unwin NZ when its parent was sold. First editions are identified by a 'First published 19xx/20xx by Bridget Williams Books' statement on the copyright/imprint page; reprints add 'Reprinted' lines, so a first printing carries no reprint history below the 'First published' line. From 1995 to 1998 some titles appeared under a joint imprint with Auckland University Press before the house returned to fully independent status; check the imprint line for this period. From 2013, BWB Texts (a series of short books, issued first as e-books then as paperbacks) each constitute a single first printing unless a reprint line is added — identify by the series and the 'First published' year. Where a number line appears on trade titles, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Does Bridget Williams Books use a number line?
From 1995 to 1998 some titles appeared under a joint imprint with Auckland University Press before the house returned to fully independent status; check the imprint line for this period. From 2013, BWB Texts (a series of short books, issued first as e-books then as paperbacks) each constitute a single first printing unless a reprint line is added — identify by the series and the 'First published' year. Where a number line appears on trade titles, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Is a book-club edition a Bridget Williams Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Leading New Zealand publisher of history, politics and Treaty of Waitangi / Maori scholarship, with strengths in women's history (authors include Anne Salmond and Judith Binney).
What era does this cover?
This covers Bridget Williams Books (1990-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.