How to identify a first printing
- 1984-1991: horror specialty press best known for the Night Visions anthology series; titles were issued as limited signed firsts alongside trade hardcover firsts - the signed/numbered limitation page identifies the limited first state.
- Night Visions volumes: limited, signed first editions (signed by the contributors, and sometimes the introducer and artist); limitation counts varied by volume - some were limited to around 500 numbered copies, others to roughly 850 - so read the actual stated limitation rather than assuming a fixed number.
- Trade hardcover firsts state 'First Edition' on the copyright page and were released alongside the limited issues; out-of-series presentation copies also exist.
- Series-number caution: Night Visions saw retitling and renumbering across US/UK editions, so match the contents and the stated volume number, not just the cover title.
Notable points & cautions
- Active 1984-1991, based in Arlington Heights, Illinois; defined by the Night Visions showcase series (contributors included Barker, King, McCammon, Simmons, Martin and Koontz).
- Night Visions is regarded as one of the most important horror short-fiction showcases of the 1980s.
- Signed-limited plus trade two-state model typical of 1980s collectible horror; both states are genuine firsts, distinguished by the limitation page.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Night Visions (series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Dark Harvest book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1984-1991: horror specialty press best known for the Night Visions anthology series; titles were issued as limited signed firsts alongside trade hardcover firsts - the signed/numbered limitation page identifies the limited first state. Night Visions volumes: limited, signed first editions (signed by the contributors, and sometimes the introducer and artist); limitation counts varied by volume - some were limited to around 500 numbered copies, others to roughly 850 - so read the actual stated limitation rather than assuming a fixed number.
Does Dark Harvest use a number line?
Night Visions volumes: limited, signed first editions (signed by the contributors, and sometimes the introducer and artist); limitation counts varied by volume - some were limited to around 500 numbered copies, others to roughly 850 - so read the actual stated limitation rather than assuming a fixed number.
Is a book-club edition a Dark Harvest first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Active 1984-1991, based in Arlington Heights, Illinois; defined by the Night Visions showcase series (contributors included Barker, King, McCammon, Simmons, Martin and Koontz).
What era does this cover?
This covers Dark Harvest (1984-1991). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.