How to identify a first printing
- Prior to 1976: firsts have NO additional printings listed on the copyright page (no number line, no later-printing notice).
- Late 1976 onward: a sequence of numbers on the copyright page with '1' present indicates the first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- For pre-1976 titles the only reliable signal is the absence of any later-printing notice — there is no positive 'First Edition' statement to rely on.
- Long-running house (Agatha Christie's US publisher) — title-level points often matter more than the house rule.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Dodd, Mead, Red Badge Mystery, Apollo Editions. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Dodd, Mead & Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Prior to 1976: firsts have NO additional printings listed on the copyright page (no number line, no later-printing notice). Late 1976 onward: a sequence of numbers on the copyright page with '1' present indicates the first printing.
Does Dodd, Mead & Company use a number line?
Late 1976 onward: a sequence of numbers on the copyright page with '1' present indicates the first printing.
Is a book-club edition a Dodd, Mead & Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. For pre-1976 titles the only reliable signal is the absence of any later-printing notice — there is no positive 'First Edition' statement to rely on.
What era does this cover?
This covers Dodd, Mead & Company (1870s-1980s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.