The fastest check: Pre-1929: same date on title page and copyright page, no additional printings listed.
How to identify a first printing
- Pre-1929: same date on title page and copyright page, no additional printings listed.
- 1929 onward: state 'First Published (year)' or 'First Edition' on the copyright page.
- 1993 onward: 'First Printing (month, year)' plus a number sequence with '1' present.
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, or run any book through the first-edition identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- The matching-date rule covers the earliest period; the explicit statement covers the bulk of the 20th century.
- US publisher of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh titles — those have famous title-specific points beyond the house rule.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Dutton, Everyman's Library (US distribution), Obelisk. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my E. P. Dutton & Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-1929: same date on title page and copyright page, no additional printings listed. 1929 onward: state 'First Published (year)' or 'First Edition' on the copyright page.
Does E. P. Dutton & Company use a number line?
1929 onward: state 'First Published (year)' or 'First Edition' on the copyright page.
Is a book-club edition a E. P. Dutton & Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. The matching-date rule covers the earliest period; the explicit statement covers the bulk of the 20th century.
What era does this cover?
This covers E. P. Dutton & Company (1880s-1990s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.