How to identify a first printing
- States 'First [Harper] Perennial edition (Year)' on the copyright page, with a descending number line ending in 1 for that printing.
- Because it is predominantly a trade-paperback REPRINT line, the 'first Perennial edition' is usually NOT the first edition of the work.
- To find the true first, trace back to the original Harper / Harper & Row / HarperCollins hardcover.
- Line ending in 1 + 'First Perennial edition' = first of that paperback printing only.
Notable points & cautions
- Harper Perennial is HarperCollins's flagship trade-paperback imprint (descended from Perennial Library).
- Key confusion point: collectors must NOT treat a 'First Harper Perennial edition' as a true first edition — it is almost always a later trade-paper reissue.
- Some Harper Perennial titles ARE paperback originals (e.g. certain story collections, P.S. editions) — those can be firsts.
- Part of HarperCollins.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Perennial Classics, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, Perennial Library (older). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Harper Perennial book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. States 'First [Harper] Perennial edition (Year)' on the copyright page, with a descending number line ending in 1 for that printing. Because it is predominantly a trade-paperback REPRINT line, the 'first Perennial edition' is usually NOT the first edition of the work.
Does Harper Perennial use a number line?
Because it is predominantly a trade-paperback REPRINT line, the 'first Perennial edition' is usually NOT the first edition of the work.
Is a book-club edition a Harper Perennial first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Harper Perennial is HarperCollins's flagship trade-paperback imprint (descended from Perennial Library).
What era does this cover?
This covers Harper Perennial (1980s–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.