How to identify a first printing
- 1998-present: Independent nonprofit literary/poetry press. Identification is best done by the imprint plus a copyright/publication year that matches first appearance; print runs are small and most titles see a single printing, so a matching year usually indicates a first printing. Where present, a stated 'First edition / First printing, [year]' on the copyright page confirms it.
- Number lines are not a reliable tell here: as with many small poetry presses, Lost Horse books are inconsistent about descending printing lines, so do not rely on the presence or absence of a number line alone. Treat a 'First edition' statement and the matching year as the primary evidence.
- Era tell: founded June 1998 near Spokane, Washington, and relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho, shortly after, so a Sandpoint address dates a title to roughly 1999 or later, while the earliest items reflect the Spokane-area origin.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in June 1998 by Christine Lysnewycz Holbert, who soon relocated the press to a log cabin in Sandpoint, Idaho.
- Has published well over a hundred poetry titles plus fiction; sponsors the Idaho Prize for Poetry and the Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry Series.
- Small print runs and award-winning poets make first printings genuinely scarce; signed copies are common from the source.
- Recognized with the CLMP Lord Nose Award (2023) for contributions to literary publishing; Holbert has received lifetime-achievement recognition.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Lost Horse Press, Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry Series, Regenerations: Indigenous Poetry Series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Lost Horse Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1998-present: Independent nonprofit literary/poetry press. Identification is best done by the imprint plus a copyright/publication year that matches first appearance; print runs are small and most titles see a single printing, so a matching year usually indicates a first printing. Where present, a stated 'First edition / First printing, [year]' on the copyright page confirms it. Number lines are not a reliable tell here: as with many small poetry presses, Lost Horse books are inconsistent about descending printing lines, so do not rely on the presence or absence of a number line alone. Treat a 'First edition' statement and the matching year as the primary evidence.
Does Lost Horse Press use a number line?
Number lines are not a reliable tell here: as with many small poetry presses, Lost Horse books are inconsistent about descending printing lines, so do not rely on the presence or absence of a number line alone. Treat a 'First edition' statement and the matching year as the primary evidence.
Is a book-club edition a Lost Horse Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in June 1998 by Christine Lysnewycz Holbert, who soon relocated the press to a log cabin in Sandpoint, Idaho.
What era does this cover?
This covers Lost Horse Press (1998-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.