How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page states 'First publication [year] by Europa Editions' / 'First Edition'; English-translation first printings note the translation copyright and first English-language publication
- Descending number line ending in 1 where present (modern standard)
- US-based (New York) English-language arm of Italy's Edizioni E/O, founded 2005; identification is conventional
- Distinguish 'first English-language edition' (the Europa printing) from the original-language first edition published abroad
Notable points & cautions
- For translated works (e.g., Elena Ferrante), the Europa Editions printing is the first English-language edition, NOT the world first — a key distinction for collectors who must decide which 'first' they want
- Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels first English printings are the notable collectible firsts in this catalog; verify via copyright-page first-publication statement and number line
- Uniform paperback-original format is standard; many titles have no hardcover first
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Europa Editions, Europa World Noir, Europa Compass (nonfiction), Tonga Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Europa Editions book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page states 'First publication [year] by Europa Editions' / 'First Edition'; English-translation first printings note the translation copyright and first English-language publication Descending number line ending in 1 where present (modern standard)
Does Europa Editions use a number line?
Descending number line ending in 1 where present (modern standard)
Is a book-club edition a Europa Editions first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. For translated works (e.g., Elena Ferrante), the Europa Editions printing is the first English-language edition, NOT the world first — a key distinction for collectors who must decide which 'first' they want
What era does this cover?
This covers Europa Editions (2005–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.