The fastest check: “First printed [Year]” / “First published [Year]” statement
How to identify a first printing
- “First printed [Year]” / “First published [Year]” statement
- No number line — the statement is the sole identifier
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, or run any book through the first-edition identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Because there is no number line, the copyright-page wording is the sole textual identifier — read it carefully.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Farrar, Straus and Giroux book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. “First printed [Year]” / “First published [Year]” statement No number line — the statement is the sole identifier
Does Farrar, Straus and Giroux use a number line?
No number line — the statement is the sole identifier
Is a book-club edition a Farrar, Straus and Giroux first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Because there is no number line, the copyright-page wording is the sole textual identifier — read it carefully.
What era does this cover?
This covers Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.