How to identify a first printing
- Late-1980s into the mid-2000s Virginia specialist in aviation, military, transportation, quilt, and Mid-Atlantic/Southeastern regional pictorials: copyright page typically carries a descending number line, and the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a line ending in '1' indicates a first printing. Some titles also state 'First edition.'
- Large-format color titles; revised editions are stated explicitly and reset the number line.
- Confirm the house by the Charlottesville, Virginia imprint line to distinguish it from unrelated 'Howell' surnames on other publishers.
Notable points & cautions
- Niche aviation, transportation, and regional pictorial publisher; firsts of out-of-print warbird and aviation titles are sought.
- Imprint wound down by the mid/late 2000s.
- Short print runs typical.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Howell Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Howell Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Late-1980s into the mid-2000s Virginia specialist in aviation, military, transportation, quilt, and Mid-Atlantic/Southeastern regional pictorials: copyright page typically carries a descending number line, and the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a line ending in '1' indicates a first printing. Some titles also state 'First edition.' Large-format color titles; revised editions are stated explicitly and reset the number line.
Does Howell Press use a number line?
Large-format color titles; revised editions are stated explicitly and reset the number line.
Is a book-club edition a Howell Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Niche aviation, transportation, and regional pictorial publisher; firsts of out-of-print warbird and aviation titles are sought.
What era does this cover?
This covers Howell Press (c.1985-c.2007). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.