How to identify a first printing
- Modern convention: copyright page states 'First Edition' / 'First printing' often with a descending number line; '1' indicates first printing.
- Many Dalkey titles are reprints/translations of older works — the Dalkey edition is a 'first thus' (first Dalkey/first US/first English-language edition), which the copyright page and translation/first-publication notes clarify.
- First lacks later-printing notice.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1984 by John O'Brien (named for Flann O'Brien's The Dalkey Archive); grew out of the Review of Contemporary Fiction; based variously at Illinois State / Champaign and Dublin; now under Deep Vellum (acquired 2021).
- Specializes in avant-garde and translated literature — most collectible 'firsts' are first-English-language or first-US editions ('first thus'), not first-ever editions of the work.
- Check translation copyright and 'first published in [language] in [year]' notes to understand exactly which 'first' a copy represents.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Review of Contemporary Fiction (journal), Context, Best European Fiction series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Dalkey Archive Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern convention: copyright page states 'First Edition' / 'First printing' often with a descending number line; '1' indicates first printing. Many Dalkey titles are reprints/translations of older works — the Dalkey edition is a 'first thus' (first Dalkey/first US/first English-language edition), which the copyright page and translation/first-publication notes clarify.
Does Dalkey Archive Press use a number line?
Many Dalkey titles are reprints/translations of older works — the Dalkey edition is a 'first thus' (first Dalkey/first US/first English-language edition), which the copyright page and translation/first-publication notes clarify.
Is a book-club edition a Dalkey Archive Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1984 by John O'Brien (named for Flann O'Brien's The Dalkey Archive); grew out of the Review of Contemporary Fiction; based variously at Illinois State / Champaign and Dublin; now under Deep Vellum (acquired 2021).
What era does this cover?
This covers Dalkey Archive Press (1984–present (Deep Vellum from 2021)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.