How to identify a first printing
- 19th-century predecessors (Lee & Shepard, 1862–1904; Lothrop Publishing): pre-merger firms generally carry no edition statement. Date by imprint name (Lee & Shepard vs. Lothrop) and address; the earliest printing is surmised from the earliest binding and advertising state.
- c.1904–c.1940s (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., formed by the 1904 merger of Lee & Shepard and Lothrop): first printings typically carry no explicit 'First Edition' statement. A first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing notation on the copyright page; later printings are stated. Cross-check the copyright date against the title-page date.
- Mid-20th century onward: the firm adopted a number row on the copyright page, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a line ending in 1 = first). Where no number line appears, the absence of any later-printing note indicates a first printing, and a printed later-printing note overrides.
- After acquisition into the Morrow / Scott, Foresman lineage (ultimately HarperCollins): late imprint printings follow the parent's number-line convention, lowest digit = printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Long-lived Boston/New York children's and general house formed in 1904 from Lee & Shepard plus Lothrop Publishing.
- Rule of thumb: a first edition is indicated by a number line ending in 1, or by the simple absence of any later-printing notation (later printings are stated).
- Published many illustrated children's classics; later editions use a standard number row.
- Eventually absorbed into the Morrow / Scott, Foresman line and ultimately HarperCollins.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., Lee & Shepard (predecessor), Lothrop Publishing Co. (predecessor). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Lothrop, Lee & Shepard book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 19th-century predecessors (Lee & Shepard, 1862–1904; Lothrop Publishing): pre-merger firms generally carry no edition statement. Date by imprint name (Lee & Shepard vs. Lothrop) and address; the earliest printing is surmised from the earliest binding and advertising state. c.1904–c.1940s (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., formed by the 1904 merger of Lee & Shepard and Lothrop): first printings typically carry no explicit 'First Edition' statement. A first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing notation on the copyright page; later printings are stated. Cross-check the copyright date against the title-page date.
Does Lothrop, Lee & Shepard use a number line?
c.1904–c.1940s (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., formed by the 1904 merger of Lee & Shepard and Lothrop): first printings typically carry no explicit 'First Edition' statement. A first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing notation on the copyright page; later printings are stated. Cross-check the copyright date against the title-page date.
Is a book-club edition a Lothrop, Lee & Shepard first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Long-lived Boston/New York children's and general house formed in 1904 from Lee & Shepard plus Lothrop Publishing.
What era does this cover?
This covers Lothrop, Lee & Shepard (1904–c.1980s (roots to 1862)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.