How to identify a first printing
- British convention: a first printing has a full number line on the copyright page ending in 1; lowest digit present = printing
- Frequently NO 'First edition' statement; rely on the complete number line and the 'First published in [year]' line
Notable points & cautions
- Frances Lincoln founded as an independent in 1977; the children's list is now part of The Quarto Group, which acquired Frances Lincoln in 2011 (some titles carry the 'Lincoln Children's Books' brand)
- Many titles are co-editions or illustrated nonfiction — for co-productions a foreign original-edition date may also appear, but the UK number line governs the UK first
- Sister Quarto children's imprints (Wide Eyed Editions, founded 2014; words & pictures; QED) follow the same British number-line convention
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Lincoln Children's Books, Wide Eyed Editions, words & pictures, Happy Yak, QED (children's). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Frances Lincoln Children's Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. British convention: a first printing has a full number line on the copyright page ending in 1; lowest digit present = printing Frequently NO 'First edition' statement; rely on the complete number line and the 'First published in [year]' line
Does Frances Lincoln Children's Books use a number line?
Frequently NO 'First edition' statement; rely on the complete number line and the 'First published in [year]' line
Is a book-club edition a Frances Lincoln Children's Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Frances Lincoln founded as an independent in 1977; the children's list is now part of The Quarto Group, which acquired Frances Lincoln in 2011 (some titles carry the 'Lincoln Children's Books' brand)
What era does this cover?
This covers Frances Lincoln Children's Books (1977–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.