How to identify a first printing
- c.1867-1871 (J.B. Ford & Co., predecessor): no edition statement; first printing by title-page/copyright date concordance and the earliest-dated bound-in catalogue.
- 1871-c.1890s (Fords, Howard & Hulbert): no printed 'First Edition' statement; identify firsts by date concordance (title-page year equal to copyright year, with no later printings noted), priority binding, and the earliest-state terminal advertising list. No number line.
- For heavily reprinted titles (e.g. Henry Ward Beecher's works), use the rear advertising catalogue: it should not list titles published after the book in hand.
Notable points & cautions
- New York house closely associated with Henry Ward Beecher and the Plymouth Church circle; published Beecher and related reform and religious authors.
- Evolved from J.B. Ford & Co., the earlier publisher of Beecher's Plymouth Church sermons.
- A small, now-defunct house with little formal bibliography, so catalogue-ad dating and date concordance are the practical identification tools.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: J.B. Ford & Co. (predecessor), Ford, Howard & Hulbert (style variant). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Fords, Howard & Hulbert book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. c.1867-1871 (J.B. Ford & Co., predecessor): no edition statement; first printing by title-page/copyright date concordance and the earliest-dated bound-in catalogue. 1871-c.1890s (Fords, Howard & Hulbert): no printed 'First Edition' statement; identify firsts by date concordance (title-page year equal to copyright year, with no later printings noted), priority binding, and the earliest-state terminal advertising list. No number line.
Does Fords, Howard & Hulbert use a number line?
1871-c.1890s (Fords, Howard & Hulbert): no printed 'First Edition' statement; identify firsts by date concordance (title-page year equal to copyright year, with no later printings noted), priority binding, and the earliest-state terminal advertising list. No number line.
Is a book-club edition a Fords, Howard & Hulbert first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. New York house closely associated with Henry Ward Beecher and the Plymouth Church circle; published Beecher and related reform and religious authors.
What era does this cover?
This covers Fords, Howard & Hulbert (c.1871-c.1899). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.