How to identify a first printing
- 1972 to early 1980s: established 1972 by Mel Hurtig in Edmonton after he sold his bookstores to concentrate on publishing. First editions are identified by a 'First edition' or 'First printing' statement on the copyright page, or by a number line where present (lowest number indicates the printing). Absence of any reprint/later-printing notice on a dated copyright page indicates a first.
- Early 1980s to 1991: number lines appear on trade titles (descending, lowest digit indicating the printing). The Canadian Encyclopedia (1985 first edition, three volumes; second edition 1988, four volumes) is explicitly edition-stated on the title/copyright pages, so distinguish the 1985 first edition from the 1988 second edition by the stated edition and volume count.
- 1991: the firm was sold to McClelland & Stewart and the trade list dispersed.
Notable points & cautions
- A nationalist Western-Canadian house, the first national English-language trade publisher based outside Toronto; the flagship was The Canadian Encyclopedia, a landmark reference work, with the 1985 first edition (three volumes) versus the 1988 second edition (four volumes) being the central identification point.
- Mel Hurtig was a prominent Canadian-nationalist publisher and political figure, twice named Canadian Book Publisher of the Year (1975, 1981).
- Regional Alberta imprint with a relatively short trade-publishing run, making some firsts scarce.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Hurtig, The Canadian Encyclopedia (flagship). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Hurtig Publishers book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1972 to early 1980s: established 1972 by Mel Hurtig in Edmonton after he sold his bookstores to concentrate on publishing. First editions are identified by a 'First edition' or 'First printing' statement on the copyright page, or by a number line where present (lowest number indicates the printing). Absence of any reprint/later-printing notice on a dated copyright page indicates a first. Early 1980s to 1991: number lines appear on trade titles (descending, lowest digit indicating the printing). The Canadian Encyclopedia (1985 first edition, three volumes; second edition 1988, four volumes) is explicitly edition-stated on the title/copyright pages, so distinguish the 1985 first edition from the 1988 second edition by the stated edition and volume count.
Does Hurtig Publishers use a number line?
Early 1980s to 1991: number lines appear on trade titles (descending, lowest digit indicating the printing). The Canadian Encyclopedia (1985 first edition, three volumes; second edition 1988, four volumes) is explicitly edition-stated on the title/copyright pages, so distinguish the 1985 first edition from the 1988 second edition by the stated edition and volume count.
Is a book-club edition a Hurtig Publishers first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A nationalist Western-Canadian house, the first national English-language trade publisher based outside Toronto; the flagship was The Canadian Encyclopedia, a landmark reference work, with the 1985 first edition (three volumes) versus the 1988 second edition (four volumes) being the central identification point.
What era does this cover?
This covers Hurtig Publishers (1972-1991). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.