How to identify a first printing
- Modern Eerdmans first printings are identified by a descending number line on the copyright page; a complete line ending in '1' (e.g., '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' or paired letter/number forms like 'P 5 4 3 2 1') indicates the first printing.
- Later printings drop the low digits, so the lowest surviving number equals the printing number.
- Some volumes additionally print a year-paired line (e.g., '00 99 98 / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') where the lowest year and lowest digit together date the first printing.
- Older (pre-1970s) academic titles often state nothing or simply give a copyright year with no printing statement; identify the first printing by the absence of any 'Second printing/Reprinted' notice and by matching the copyright year to the title-page/dust-jacket year.
Notable points & cautions
- Primarily an academic and theological (Reformed, biblical-studies) house founded 1911, so many titles are scholarly hardcovers reprinted repeatedly; the number line is the reliable arbiter for post-1980 books.
- Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (children's imprint, established 1995) follows the same number-line convention.
- Book-club editions are rare for this academic list; the bigger trap is later printings of long-selling theology titles that retain the original copyright date but show a shortened number line.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Eerdmans (academic/biblical studies). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern Eerdmans first printings are identified by a descending number line on the copyright page; a complete line ending in '1' (e.g., '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' or paired letter/number forms like 'P 5 4 3 2 1') indicates the first printing. Later printings drop the low digits, so the lowest surviving number equals the printing number.
Does Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company use a number line?
Later printings drop the low digits, so the lowest surviving number equals the printing number.
Is a book-club edition a Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Primarily an academic and theological (Reformed, biblical-studies) house founded 1911, so many titles are scholarly hardcovers reprinted repeatedly; the number line is the reliable arbiter for post-1980 books.
What era does this cover?
This covers Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (1911-present (number-line convention reliable from roughly the 1970s-1980s onward)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.