How to identify a first printing
- Modern D&M trade titles state 'First edition' and/or carry a number line ('1' present = first printing) on the copyright page.
- Co-publications (D&M frequently co-published with US/UK houses) require establishing the Canadian first by date and the D&M imprint on the title page.
- For older titles, absence of any later-printing/reprint statement plus the first-appearance year is the working rule.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1971 by James Douglas and Scott McIntyre, Vancouver; leading western-Canadian trade and art-book publisher (Bill Reid, Robert Bringhurst, Haida/Northwest Coast titles, David Suzuki).
- Greystone Books imprint launched 1993 (under Rob Sanders) for nature and popular-science titles.
- Critical era/ownership change: parent D&M Publishers filed a Notice of Intention under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in October 2012; in February 2013 the Douglas & McIntyre list was bought by Howard and Mary White (Harbour Publishing) and continued as 'Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd.', Greystone Books was sold to a Heritage House-led group and became the independent Greystone Books Ltd., and New Society Publishers returned to prior owners. Post-2013 D&M and Greystone are SEPARATE companies; attribute imprint and era carefully.
- Groundwood originated under D&M before becoming part of House of Anansi; older Groundwood titles may bear D&M-era imprint data.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Douglas & McIntyre, Greystone Books, New Society Publishers (historic; returned to prior owners 2013), Groundwood (historic, before moving to House of Anansi), D&M Publishers (corporate parent). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Douglas & McIntyre book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern D&M trade titles state 'First edition' and/or carry a number line ('1' present = first printing) on the copyright page. Co-publications (D&M frequently co-published with US/UK houses) require establishing the Canadian first by date and the D&M imprint on the title page.
Does Douglas & McIntyre use a number line?
Co-publications (D&M frequently co-published with US/UK houses) require establishing the Canadian first by date and the D&M imprint on the title page.
Is a book-club edition a Douglas & McIntyre first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1971 by James Douglas and Scott McIntyre, Vancouver; leading western-Canadian trade and art-book publisher (Bill Reid, Robert Bringhurst, Haida/Northwest Coast titles, David Suzuki).
What era does this cover?
This covers Douglas & McIntyre (1971-2012 (original D&M Publishers); 2013-present (Douglas & McIntyre 2013 Ltd.)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.