How to identify a first printing
- From ~1925: printed 'First Edition' on the copyright page of books deemed important; novels and children's books often NOT so marked.
- Reliably indicated later printings ('Second Printing', 'Third Printing', etc.), so absence of a later-printing notice is a key signal for the unmarked titles.
- Mid-1970s: added a descending number line; presence of '1' = first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Because 'First Edition' was applied selectively, the absence of that statement does NOT mean a copy is a reprint — check for the absence of any 'Nth Printing' notice instead.
- Publisher of Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1960): the famous first has 'First Edition' on the copyright page and the Lippincott colophon; jacket points (Truman Capote blurb, printed price) matter for that title.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Lippincott, Keystone Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my J. B. Lippincott Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. From ~1925: printed 'First Edition' on the copyright page of books deemed important; novels and children's books often NOT so marked. Reliably indicated later printings ('Second Printing', 'Third Printing', etc.), so absence of a later-printing notice is a key signal for the unmarked titles.
Does J. B. Lippincott Company use a number line?
Reliably indicated later printings ('Second Printing', 'Third Printing', etc.), so absence of a later-printing notice is a key signal for the unmarked titles.
Is a book-club edition a J. B. Lippincott Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Because 'First Edition' was applied selectively, the absence of that statement does NOT mean a copy is a reprint — check for the absence of any 'Nth Printing' notice instead.
What era does this cover?
This covers J. B. Lippincott Company (1836-1978). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.