How to Identify a Holiday House First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Modern: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on copyright page, typically accompanied by a descending number line ending in 1
• Number line is the controlling signal when both are present; first printing requires '1'
• Older mid-century titles: stated 'First Edition' / 'First printing' with no number line

Notable points & cautions

• Independent children's-only publisher founded 1935 (one of the oldest US children's specialists)
• Home of many Caldecott/Newbery honorees; Neal Porter Books (a Holiday House imprint) carries prestige picture books
• Generally clean, consistent 'FIRST EDITION'-plus-number-line conventions — fewer carry-over errors than Harper

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Holiday House, Margaret Ferguson Books, Neal Porter Books, Pixel+Ink (sister). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Holiday House book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Modern: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on copyright page, typically accompanied by a descending number line ending in 1 Number line is the controlling signal when both are present; first printing requires '1'

Does Holiday House use a number line?

Number line is the controlling signal when both are present; first printing requires '1'

Is a book-club edition a Holiday House first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Independent children's-only publisher founded 1935 (one of the oldest US children's specialists)

What era does this cover?

This covers Holiday House (1935–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.