How to identify a first printing
- Library-oriented hardcovers: first printings are commonly identified by a full number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') on the copyright page and/or a stated 'First Edition' line.
- Some Five Star first printings carry no number line, with the edition indicated only on the copyright/title page — absence of a number line does not by itself prove a later printing for this house.
- The series wording 'Five Star First Edition' indicates an original publication rather than a reprint, which is the key collector distinction since Five Star also reissued earlier work before the line became exclusively first-edition.
- Distinguish clean trade-state firsts from large-print library rebinds and ex-library copies.
Notable points & cautions
- Imprint of Thorndike Press / Gale (Cengage Learning); the Five Star imprint debuted in 1995, the Mystery line began in November 1998, and from August 2000 the Mystery line became exclusively first-edition publications.
- The 'First Edition' lines carry genuine original first editions — including short-story collections and novels by major authors that exist as a true first only in the small Five Star library printing.
- Small library runs make some Five Star firsts scarce; ex-library and large-print rebinds should be distinguished from clean trade-state firsts.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Five Star First Edition Mystery, Five Star Westerns, Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy, Five Star Expressions (romance). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Five Star book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Library-oriented hardcovers: first printings are commonly identified by a full number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') on the copyright page and/or a stated 'First Edition' line. Some Five Star first printings carry no number line, with the edition indicated only on the copyright/title page — absence of a number line does not by itself prove a later printing for this house.
Does Five Star use a number line?
Some Five Star first printings carry no number line, with the edition indicated only on the copyright/title page — absence of a number line does not by itself prove a later printing for this house.
Is a book-club edition a Five Star first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Imprint of Thorndike Press / Gale (Cengage Learning); the Five Star imprint debuted in 1995, the Mystery line began in November 1998, and from August 2000 the Mystery line became exclusively first-edition publications.
What era does this cover?
This covers Five Star (Imprint 1995–present; Mystery line from 1998, exclusively first-edition publications from 2000). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.