How to identify a first printing
- Early books (late 1960s-1970s): first/only printing identified by colophon or copyright statement; small runs, often single printings.
- First printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
- Many poetry titles are single-printing; reprints are explicitly stated on the copyright page when they occur. The loose-sheet format applies to the magazine, not the conventionally bound books.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1966 in Brooklyn by Robert Hershon, Dick Lourie, Emmett Jarrett, and Ron Schreiber; began as the magazine Hanging Loose, whose earliest issues were loose sheets of paper in a 6x9-inch envelope (no binding).
- The magazine grew out of the earlier short-lived journal 'Things' (early 1960s, Jarrett and Schreiber).
- Long-running collective-edited independent; published early Sherman Alexie and many New York-school-adjacent poets.
- Robert Hershon edited until his death in 2021; the press continues. Its archive is held at Columbia's Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Hanging Loose Press, Hanging Loose (magazine). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Hanging Loose Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Early books (late 1960s-1970s): first/only printing identified by colophon or copyright statement; small runs, often single printings. First printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
Does Hanging Loose Press use a number line?
First printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
Is a book-club edition a Hanging Loose Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1966 in Brooklyn by Robert Hershon, Dick Lourie, Emmett Jarrett, and Ron Schreiber; began as the magazine Hanging Loose, whose earliest issues were loose sheets of paper in a 6x9-inch envelope (no binding).
What era does this cover?
This covers Hanging Loose Press (1966-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.