How to identify a first printing
- c.1926-1968 (independent Ives Washburn): First editions generally carry no printed first-edition statement. Identify a first by the absence of any later-printing or reprint notice and by matching single dates on the title page and copyright page.
- 1968 onward (after acquisition by David McKay): Titles appear under a joint 'David McKay Company, Inc. / Ives Washburn, Inc.' imprint and follow McKay practice, where later printings are noted, so absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first; some titles of this period also carry a descending number line, in which the presence of '1' as the lowest digit indicates a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- A small New York trade house active from the mid-1920s, best known for children's books, with some sports and general non-fiction.
- Acquired by the David McKay Company in 1968, after which its titles appeared under a joint McKay / Ives Washburn imprint into the 1970s before the Ives Washburn name faded.
- Records are sparse for the independent era, so confirm firsts by bibliographic points and date-matching rather than by any printed statement.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Ives Washburn, Ives Washburn, Inc., David McKay Company, Inc. / Ives Washburn, Inc. (joint imprint, 1968 onward). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Ives Washburn book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. c.1926-1968 (independent Ives Washburn): First editions generally carry no printed first-edition statement. Identify a first by the absence of any later-printing or reprint notice and by matching single dates on the title page and copyright page. 1968 onward (after acquisition by David McKay): Titles appear under a joint 'David McKay Company, Inc. / Ives Washburn, Inc.' imprint and follow McKay practice, where later printings are noted, so absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first; some titles of this period also carry a descending number line, in which the presence of '1' as the lowest digit indicates a first printing.
Does Ives Washburn use a number line?
1968 onward (after acquisition by David McKay): Titles appear under a joint 'David McKay Company, Inc. / Ives Washburn, Inc.' imprint and follow McKay practice, where later printings are noted, so absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first; some titles of this period also carry a descending number line, in which the presence of '1' as the lowest digit indicates a first printing.
Is a book-club edition a Ives Washburn first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A small New York trade house active from the mid-1920s, best known for children's books, with some sports and general non-fiction.
What era does this cover?
This covers Ives Washburn (c.1926-1968). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.