How to identify a first printing
- Literary fiction/nonfiction/translation house: modern titles state 'first edition' and carry a descending number line ('1' present = first printing) on the copyright page.
- Award-attention titles (Giller / Governor General's) reprint — verify the number line retains '1' and there is no later-printing statement.
- Older (pre-2000, Dunvegan-era) titles: rely on the original copyright year and the absence of reprint notes.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1986 by Jan and Gary Geddes on their farm outside Dunvegan, Ontario; the early program leaned to poetry, then Jan Geddes shifted it toward fiction around 1990. Later relocated to Toronto; known for literary fiction and works in translation from Quebec.
- Ownership/era changes: Marc Côté became publisher in 2001, and the house passed through the Stoddart/General Publishing distribution collapse era (around 2002) before continuing under new ownership — the corporate history is choppy, so use imprint plus copyright year to pin the era.
- Published Nino Ricci's 'Lives of the Saints' (1990, Governor General's Award winner); prize-attention firsts are the desirable points.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Cormorant Books, Stoddart (related, historic distribution), Cormorant / Bayeux Arts (historic association). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Cormorant Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Literary fiction/nonfiction/translation house: modern titles state 'first edition' and carry a descending number line ('1' present = first printing) on the copyright page. Award-attention titles (Giller / Governor General's) reprint — verify the number line retains '1' and there is no later-printing statement.
Does Cormorant Books use a number line?
Award-attention titles (Giller / Governor General's) reprint — verify the number line retains '1' and there is no later-printing statement.
Is a book-club edition a Cormorant Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1986 by Jan and Gary Geddes on their farm outside Dunvegan, Ontario; the early program leaned to poetry, then Jan Geddes shifted it toward fiction around 1990. Later relocated to Toronto; known for literary fiction and works in translation from Quebec.
What era does this cover?
This covers Cormorant Books (1986-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.