How to identify a first printing
- 1929-1970s (as Angus & Robertson's printing house): Halstead Press was principally a PRINTER, not a trade publisher. George Robertson bought the Eagle Press in 1929 and renamed it Halstead Press after his Essex birthplace; it was a leading Australian book printer for roughly forty years until the plant was sold in the 1970s. A Halstead Press line on an Angus & Robertson book is a production/printer credit, NOT a first-edition indicator. Identify the first edition by Angus & Robertson's own 'First published' statement, not by the Halstead imprint.
- 1991-present (modern Halstead Press): A separate independent Sydney (later also Canberra) publisher of history, heritage, current affairs and scholarly works, set up in 1991 after Robertson's great-grandson acquired the Halstead logo and identity. First editions are identified by a 'First published 19xx/20xx' statement on the copyright/imprint page and the absence of any 'Reprinted' line; where a number line is present, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Two distinct entities share the name: (1) the historic Angus & Robertson printing arm (Halstead Press), and (2) the modern independent publisher set up in 1991 — do not conflate them.
- For the historic arm, Halstead is a printer credit and NOT a first-edition indicator; the publisher of record was Angus & Robertson.
- The modern Halstead Press is a small Sydney/Canberra publisher of history, heritage and general illustrated books; it is not corporately unrelated to the old arm but rather inherited the Halstead logo and identity via the Robertson family.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Halstead Press (historic printing arm of Angus & Robertson), Halstead Press (modern independent history/heritage and general publisher, est. 1991). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Halstead Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1929-1970s (as Angus & Robertson's printing house): Halstead Press was principally a PRINTER, not a trade publisher. George Robertson bought the Eagle Press in 1929 and renamed it Halstead Press after his Essex birthplace; it was a leading Australian book printer for roughly forty years until the plant was sold in the 1970s. A Halstead Press line on an Angus & Robertson book is a production/printer credit, NOT a first-edition indicator. Identify the first edition by Angus & Robertson's own 'First published' statement, not by the Halstead imprint. 1991-present (modern Halstead Press): A separate independent Sydney (later also Canberra) publisher of history, heritage, current affairs and scholarly works, set up in 1991 after Robertson's great-grandson acquired the Halstead logo and identity. First editions are identified by a 'First published 19xx/20xx' statement on the copyright/imprint page and the absence of any 'Reprinted' line; where a number line is present, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Does Halstead Press use a number line?
1991-present (modern Halstead Press): A separate independent Sydney (later also Canberra) publisher of history, heritage, current affairs and scholarly works, set up in 1991 after Robertson's great-grandson acquired the Halstead logo and identity. First editions are identified by a 'First published 19xx/20xx' statement on the copyright/imprint page and the absence of any 'Reprinted' line; where a number line is present, the lowest number indicates the printing.
Is a book-club edition a Halstead Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Two distinct entities share the name: (1) the historic Angus & Robertson printing arm (Halstead Press), and (2) the modern independent publisher set up in 1991 — do not conflate them.
What era does this cover?
This covers Halstead Press (1929-1970s (printer); 1991-present (publisher)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.