How to identify a first printing
- 1941-present (general rule): Dover is overwhelmingly a REPRINT publisher; most music scores and music/film/theatre books are unabridged republications of earlier editions, so the relevant 'first' is the first Dover edition. Identify it by the copyright/credits page statement: 'This Dover edition, first published in YYYY, is an unabridged [/ slightly corrected / new] republication of the work originally published by [publisher], [year].'
- All eras — first Dover printing tell: A true first Dover printing carries no later-printing notation; later Dover printings are commonly re-run silently, so collectors rely on the 'first published in YYYY' Dover statement together with any printing/manufacturing code (often on the last text page or inside back cover).
- Music scores: Dover full-size and miniature scores reproduce older engraved plates (frequently Breitkopf & Hartel, Peters, etc.); the 'Dover edition first published YYYY' line dates the Dover issue, while the reproduced plates retain the ORIGINAL publisher's plate numbers — do not mistake those for Dover firsts.
- ISBN era (c.1968-present): Dover added ISBNs and standardized self-cover paperbacks; the edition statement remains the 'This Dover edition, first published in YYYY...' formula.
Notable points & cautions
- Almost never an original-publication first edition; value lies in the affordable reprint rather than in collectible firsts.
- Reproduced scores carry the ORIGINAL engraver's plate numbers — a frequent point of confusion.
- Identify the first Dover edition by the explicit 'This Dover edition, first published in YYYY...' republication statement.
- Headquartered in New York, later Mineola, NY; the printing operation passed to Courier/LSC.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Dover, Dover Music Scores, Dover Books on Music. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Dover Publications (Music & Performing Arts) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1941-present (general rule): Dover is overwhelmingly a REPRINT publisher; most music scores and music/film/theatre books are unabridged republications of earlier editions, so the relevant 'first' is the first Dover edition. Identify it by the copyright/credits page statement: 'This Dover edition, first published in YYYY, is an unabridged [/ slightly corrected / new] republication of the work originally published by [publisher], [year].' All eras — first Dover printing tell: A true first Dover printing carries no later-printing notation; later Dover printings are commonly re-run silently, so collectors rely on the 'first published in YYYY' Dover statement together with any printing/manufacturing code (often on the last text page or inside back cover).
Does Dover Publications (Music & Performing Arts) use a number line?
All eras — first Dover printing tell: A true first Dover printing carries no later-printing notation; later Dover printings are commonly re-run silently, so collectors rely on the 'first published in YYYY' Dover statement together with any printing/manufacturing code (often on the last text page or inside back cover).
Is a book-club edition a Dover Publications (Music & Performing Arts) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Almost never an original-publication first edition; value lies in the affordable reprint rather than in collectible firsts.
What era does this cover?
This covers Dover Publications (Music & Performing Arts) (1941-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.