How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page states 'First published [year] by Fremantle Arts Centre Press' (1976–2007) or 'Fremantle Press' (2007 onward); a first printing shows no 'Reprinted' line and a publication year matching the copyright year.
- Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — important for heavily reprinted titles such as A.B. Facey's 'A Fortunate Life'; the first printing carries the bare statement only.
- Imprint-name era tell: a 'Fremantle Arts Centre Press' colophon indicates pre-2007; 'Fremantle Press' indicates 2007 onward. No formal descending number line is used.
- Because the statement alone is not absolutely diagnostic, confirm a first by the combination of the bare 'First published' line, a matching year, and the absence of any reprint/impression notice.
Notable points & cautions
- Established 1976 by the Fremantle Arts Centre as an independent not-for-profit, with Ian Templeman as inaugural chief executive; renamed Fremantle Press in March 2007.
- Its first book was Elizabeth Jolley's 'Five Acre Virgin and Other Stories' (1976), an important Western Australian literary first. A.B. Facey's 'A Fortunate Life' (1981, FACP imprint) is a major collectible that was reprinted heavily, so the desirable state is the true first printing under the FACP imprint with no reprint line.
- Focus on Western Australian writers; many titles appear in card wrappers where condition strongly affects desirability.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Fremantle Press, Fremantle Arts Centre Press (FACP, 1976–2007). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Fremantle Press (Fremantle Arts Centre Press) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page states 'First published [year] by Fremantle Arts Centre Press' (1976–2007) or 'Fremantle Press' (2007 onward); a first printing shows no 'Reprinted' line and a publication year matching the copyright year. Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — important for heavily reprinted titles such as A.B. Facey's 'A Fortunate Life'; the first printing carries the bare statement only.
Does Fremantle Press (Fremantle Arts Centre Press) use a number line?
Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — important for heavily reprinted titles such as A.B. Facey's 'A Fortunate Life'; the first printing carries the bare statement only.
Is a book-club edition a Fremantle Press (Fremantle Arts Centre Press) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Established 1976 by the Fremantle Arts Centre as an independent not-for-profit, with Ian Templeman as inaugural chief executive; renamed Fremantle Press in March 2007.
What era does this cover?
This covers Fremantle Press (Fremantle Arts Centre Press) (1976–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.