How to identify a first printing
- Sequential catalog number on spine/cover identifies the title; Lion ran a 25-cent Lion line and a 35-cent Lion Library line, the latter often carrying LL-prefixed numbers. The number is a title/series identifier, not a printing count.
- First printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement. Lion seldom announced reprints, so a stated reprint is uncommon; rely on the original catalog number and price together with the cover format.
- When a Lion Library issue reuses an earlier Lion title it takes a new number and often a new cover; the earlier, lower-numbered Lion appearance is the earlier (and usually the first) printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Lion (an outgrowth of Martin Goodman's magazine empire, edited largely by Arnold Hano, c.1949-1957) is a heavily collected paperback-original house. Early titles by Jim Thompson, David Goodis, Day Keene and others appeared first as Lion paperbacks, making the Lion the true first of those works.
- Short-lived line; New American Library bought Lion in 1957 and reissued several Lion titles under its Signet label.
- Because many Lion noir titles are paperback originals with no hardcover, the Lion paperback is the only first edition of those books.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Lion Books, Lion Library. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Lion Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Sequential catalog number on spine/cover identifies the title; Lion ran a 25-cent Lion line and a 35-cent Lion Library line, the latter often carrying LL-prefixed numbers. The number is a title/series identifier, not a printing count. First printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement. Lion seldom announced reprints, so a stated reprint is uncommon; rely on the original catalog number and price together with the cover format.
Does Lion Books use a number line?
First printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement. Lion seldom announced reprints, so a stated reprint is uncommon; rely on the original catalog number and price together with the cover format.
Is a book-club edition a Lion Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Lion (an outgrowth of Martin Goodman's magazine empire, edited largely by Arnold Hano, c.1949-1957) is a heavily collected paperback-original house. Early titles by Jim Thompson, David Goodis, Day Keene and others appeared first as Lion paperbacks, making the Lion the true first of those works.
What era does this cover?
This covers Lion Books (1949-1957). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.