How to identify a first printing
- US IVP first printings typically carry a descending number line on the copyright page ending in '1'; the lowest digit indicates the printing.
- Many IVP copyright pages pair a descending printing line with a descending year line, so a first printing shows both the lowest printing digit and the earliest year still present; later printings drop the lowest printing digits and the earliest years.
- Some earlier or simpler titles give only a copyright year with no printing line, in which case a first printing is inferred from the absence of any reprint notice.
Notable points & cautions
- US IVP and the UK's Inter-Varsity Press are legally distinct publishers that frequently co-publish or share text; a US copy and a UK copy of the same book are different editions with different copyright pages, so check the imprint city to know which house's convention applies.
- The UK Inter-Varsity Press was formerly the publishing wing of UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) but was divested in 2005, with its assets transferred to SPCK, which continues the imprint; UK titles tend to state 'First published' with a year and sometimes a 'Reprinted' list rather than a number line.
- IVP Academic (scholarly) and IVP Books (trade) both use the US number-line system.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: IVP Academic, IVP Books, Formatio, IVP Praxis, Bible Speaks Today (series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my InterVarsity Press (IVP) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. US IVP first printings typically carry a descending number line on the copyright page ending in '1'; the lowest digit indicates the printing. Many IVP copyright pages pair a descending printing line with a descending year line, so a first printing shows both the lowest printing digit and the earliest year still present; later printings drop the lowest printing digits and the earliest years.
Does InterVarsity Press (IVP) use a number line?
Many IVP copyright pages pair a descending printing line with a descending year line, so a first printing shows both the lowest printing digit and the earliest year still present; later printings drop the lowest printing digits and the earliest years.
Is a book-club edition a InterVarsity Press (IVP) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. US IVP and the UK's Inter-Varsity Press are legally distinct publishers that frequently co-publish or share text; a US copy and a UK copy of the same book are different editions with different copyright pages, so check the imprint city to know which house's convention applies.
What era does this cover?
This covers InterVarsity Press (IVP) (US IVP founded 1947 (book program); UK Inter-Varsity Press has older roots in the IVF/UCCF movement). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.