The fastest check: First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the number line is the reliable tell
How to identify a first printing
- First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the number line is the reliable tell
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Standalone literary and commercial imprint, a Macmillan division launched in 2017
- Published the US first edition of Delia Owens's Where the Crawdads Sing (2018); first printings show a full number line to 1 (later Reese's Book Club paperbacks were issued separately and are not the Celadon first)
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Celadon. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Celadon Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the number line is the reliable tell
Does Celadon Books use a number line?
First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the number line is the reliable tell
Is a book-club edition a Celadon Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Standalone literary and commercial imprint, a Macmillan division launched in 2017
What era does this cover?
This covers Celadon Books (2017-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.