The fastest check: First printing carries a 'First Edition' statement and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1 on the copyright page (HarperCollins house style)
How to identify a first printing
- First printing carries a 'First Edition' statement and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1 on the copyright page (HarperCollins house style)
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- HarperCollins Children's editorial imprint launched in fall 2003
- Standard HarperCollins caveat: the number line, not a possibly-retained 'First Edition' statement, is the authority
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Katherine Tegen Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing carries a 'First Edition' statement and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1 on the copyright page (HarperCollins house style)
Does Katherine Tegen Books use a number line?
First printing carries a 'First Edition' statement and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1 on the copyright page (HarperCollins house style)
Is a book-club edition a Katherine Tegen Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. HarperCollins Children's editorial imprint launched in fall 2003
What era does this cover?
This covers Katherine Tegen Books (2003-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.