How to identify a first printing
- 1882-c.1950: NO reliable first-edition statement of any kind; firsts and reprints are often indistinguishable from the copyright page alone — rely on earliest-state points, binding, jacket, and title-page imprint variants.
- c.1950-c.1975: later printings begin to be noted on the copyright page, so the ABSENCE of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
- c.1975 onward: a number-line system is used; the lowest digit (1) present indicates the first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded September 1882 in Philadelphia by David McKay, who apprenticed at J.B. Lippincott; published Walt Whitman's later 'Leaves of Grass' printings and a broad popular and reference list.
- The pre-1950 'no statement at all' era is a known trap — McKay firsts of that period require point-by-point bibliographic confirmation.
- Acquired by Random House in 1986; the McKay name faded thereafter.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Ives Washburn (acquired imprint), McKay, Longmeadow (later). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my David McKay Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1882-c.1950: NO reliable first-edition statement of any kind; firsts and reprints are often indistinguishable from the copyright page alone — rely on earliest-state points, binding, jacket, and title-page imprint variants. c.1950-c.1975: later printings begin to be noted on the copyright page, so the ABSENCE of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
Does David McKay Company use a number line?
c.1950-c.1975: later printings begin to be noted on the copyright page, so the ABSENCE of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
Is a book-club edition a David McKay Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded September 1882 in Philadelphia by David McKay, who apprenticed at J.B. Lippincott; published Walt Whitman's later 'Leaves of Grass' printings and a broad popular and reference list.
What era does this cover?
This covers David McKay Company (1882-c.1990). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.