How to identify a first printing
- Standard descending number line on the copyright page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a terminal '1' marks a first printing.
- The imprint name itself helps establish the era: 'Nick Lyons Books' and 'Lyons & Burford' on early printings, 'The Lyons Press' from 1997, and Globe Pequot/Rowman & Littlefield branding on later ones.
- No distinctive house-wide prose first-edition statement, so combine the number line with the imprint name.
Notable points & cautions
- A leading publisher of fly-fishing, hunting, outdoor, nature, and sporting literature, with strong niche collector demand for angling and sporting firsts.
- Imprint history: Nick Lyons Books (incorporated independent 1984) and the Lyons & Burford partnership (from 1981) preceded the rename to The Lyons Press in 1997; Globe Pequot acquired it in 2001 and it now sits under Rowman & Littlefield.
- FalconGuides (outdoor/field guides) and Globe Pequot regional and travel titles share the descending-number-line convention.
- Condition and the dust jacket drive collectible interest in the sporting-book niche.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Nick Lyons Books (independent from 1984), Lyons & Burford (partnership from 1981), The Lyons Press (renamed 1997), Globe Pequot Press, FalconGuides, Rowman & Littlefield (parent). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my The Lyons Press / Globe Pequot book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Standard descending number line on the copyright page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a terminal '1' marks a first printing. The imprint name itself helps establish the era: 'Nick Lyons Books' and 'Lyons & Burford' on early printings, 'The Lyons Press' from 1997, and Globe Pequot/Rowman & Littlefield branding on later ones.
Does The Lyons Press / Globe Pequot use a number line?
The imprint name itself helps establish the era: 'Nick Lyons Books' and 'Lyons & Burford' on early printings, 'The Lyons Press' from 1997, and Globe Pequot/Rowman & Littlefield branding on later ones.
Is a book-club edition a The Lyons Press / Globe Pequot first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A leading publisher of fly-fishing, hunting, outdoor, nature, and sporting literature, with strong niche collector demand for angling and sporting firsts.
What era does this cover?
This covers The Lyons Press / Globe Pequot (1980s-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.