How to identify a first printing
- Annual series: identify by the YEAR in the title (e.g. 'Let's Go: Europe 1985') plus the copyright-page number line, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing.
- 1960-1970s: produced by Harvard Student Agencies; 'Let's Go' began as a roughly 25-page mimeographed pamphlet (compiled by Harvard student Oliver Koppell, first effort 1959, first guide 1960) handed out to student charter-flight passengers. The earliest pamphlet/booklet printings are crude and scarce; identify them by year and HSA origin.
- 1980s-2000s: published in book form with St. Martin's Press; rely on the YEAR on the cover/title page as the annual identifier, confirmed by the copyright-page number line for that year's edition.
Notable points & cautions
- Originated as a circa-1960 mimeographed HSA pamphlet compiled by Harvard student Oliver Koppell; the earliest printings are ephemeral and rare.
- Annual series: the year in the title is the practical identifier.
- Written and revised by Harvard students each year; St. Martin's Press handled the modern book-form editions.
- Modern editions follow standard US number-line conventions.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Let's Go: Europe, Let's Go (country/city titles), Let's Go Adventure / Map Guides. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Let's Go (Harvard Student Agencies) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Annual series: identify by the YEAR in the title (e.g. 'Let's Go: Europe 1985') plus the copyright-page number line, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing. 1960-1970s: produced by Harvard Student Agencies; 'Let's Go' began as a roughly 25-page mimeographed pamphlet (compiled by Harvard student Oliver Koppell, first effort 1959, first guide 1960) handed out to student charter-flight passengers. The earliest pamphlet/booklet printings are crude and scarce; identify them by year and HSA origin.
Does Let's Go (Harvard Student Agencies) use a number line?
1960-1970s: produced by Harvard Student Agencies; 'Let's Go' began as a roughly 25-page mimeographed pamphlet (compiled by Harvard student Oliver Koppell, first effort 1959, first guide 1960) handed out to student charter-flight passengers. The earliest pamphlet/booklet printings are crude and scarce; identify them by year and HSA origin.
Is a book-club edition a Let's Go (Harvard Student Agencies) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Originated as a circa-1960 mimeographed HSA pamphlet compiled by Harvard student Oliver Koppell; the earliest printings are ephemeral and rare.
What era does this cover?
This covers Let's Go (Harvard Student Agencies) (1960-2000s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.