How to identify a first printing
- Trade/book titles use a standard descending number line on the copyright page; '1' present = first printing.
- Primarily a sheet-music and folio publisher — most output is method books, songbooks, and scores that are not 'editions' in the collector first-edition sense; printings of folios are typically undated or carry an HL catalog/order number rather than a printer's key.
- For the trade book lines (biographies, reference) treat the number line as authoritative.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1947 (by the Edstrom brothers in Winona, Minnesota; now headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin); the world's largest sheet-music/print-music publisher. Collectible interest is mostly in the trade book imprints rather than the song folios.
- Acquired Backbeat (2006); divested the performing-arts trade imprints (Hal Leonard Books, Applause, Amadeus, Backbeat, Limelight) to Rowman & Littlefield in Dec 2018.
- Songbook/folio editions are better identified by catalog/order number and licensing era than by first-printing points.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Hal Leonard Books, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, Amadeus Press, Backbeat Books, Limelight Editions, Musicians Institute Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Hal Leonard (Hal Leonard Books / Performing Arts Publishing Group) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Trade/book titles use a standard descending number line on the copyright page; '1' present = first printing. Primarily a sheet-music and folio publisher — most output is method books, songbooks, and scores that are not 'editions' in the collector first-edition sense; printings of folios are typically undated or carry an HL catalog/order number rather than a printer's key.
Does Hal Leonard (Hal Leonard Books / Performing Arts Publishing Group) use a number line?
Primarily a sheet-music and folio publisher — most output is method books, songbooks, and scores that are not 'editions' in the collector first-edition sense; printings of folios are typically undated or carry an HL catalog/order number rather than a printer's key.
Is a book-club edition a Hal Leonard (Hal Leonard Books / Performing Arts Publishing Group) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1947 (by the Edstrom brothers in Winona, Minnesota; now headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin); the world's largest sheet-music/print-music publisher. Collectible interest is mostly in the trade book imprints rather than the song folios.
What era does this cover?
This covers Hal Leonard (Hal Leonard Books / Performing Arts Publishing Group) (1947-present (book imprints largely 1990s-present)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.