How to identify a first printing
- 1990-present: a first/only edition is identified by the COLOPHON limitation statement; the press of Peggy Gotthold and Lawrence G. Van Velzer. The colophon records the limitation (editions typically run about 90-200 copies), the types (handset metal type and/or photopolymer plates), the paper, the illustrators, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed. There is no number line or 'First Edition' wording.
- Many titles feature inventive structures or bindings (accordion, tunnel, or custom enclosures) described in the colophon; the structure is an identification feature.
- Identify by the Foolscap Press imprint and the colophon limitation; everything is designed, printed letterpress, and bound in-house, then distributed directly.
Notable points & cautions
- Run by Gotthold and Van Velzer, both of whom trained and worked in the Bay Area book-arts world (Arion Press, with bindery experience at Schuberth, and letterpress training at Cowell Press/UCSC and Yolla Bolly Press).
- Known for playful structural bindings and custom clamshell or enclosure work, all done in-house.
- All books are limited firsts; the colophon is definitive.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Foolscap Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1990-present: a first/only edition is identified by the COLOPHON limitation statement; the press of Peggy Gotthold and Lawrence G. Van Velzer. The colophon records the limitation (editions typically run about 90-200 copies), the types (handset metal type and/or photopolymer plates), the paper, the illustrators, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed. There is no number line or 'First Edition' wording. Many titles feature inventive structures or bindings (accordion, tunnel, or custom enclosures) described in the colophon; the structure is an identification feature.
Does Foolscap Press use a number line?
Many titles feature inventive structures or bindings (accordion, tunnel, or custom enclosures) described in the colophon; the structure is an identification feature.
Is a book-club edition a Foolscap Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Run by Gotthold and Van Velzer, both of whom trained and worked in the Bay Area book-arts world (Arion Press, with bindery experience at Schuberth, and letterpress training at Cowell Press/UCSC and Yolla Bolly Press).
What era does this cover?
This covers Foolscap Press (1990-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.