How to identify a first printing
- First printings are generally identified by a number line on the copyright page, with the lowest digit (1) present indicating a first printing; where no line appears, the absence of any later-printing statement supports a first.
- Distribution note: many M. Evans titles were distributed by J.B. Lippincott and later by other houses; the distributor's name on the jacket or spine does not affect first-printing status, which should be judged by the Evans copyright-page statement.
- Under successive owners (Rowman & Littlefield from 2005, then Globe Pequot) standard number-line conventions continue, with the lowest digit (1) present indicating a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- A small independent New York house best known for popular non-fiction, including diet, health, and self-improvement titles.
- Long associated with J.B. Lippincott as its distributor, which is a frequent source of confusion about who the 'real' publisher of an M. Evans title is.
- The backlist was acquired by Rowman & Littlefield in 2005 and the M. Evans name was retained as an imprint, later sitting within the Globe Pequot group.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: M. Evans, M. Evans and Company, Inc., M. Evans (under Rowman & Littlefield, later Globe Pequot). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my M. Evans and Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printings are generally identified by a number line on the copyright page, with the lowest digit (1) present indicating a first printing; where no line appears, the absence of any later-printing statement supports a first. Distribution note: many M. Evans titles were distributed by J.B. Lippincott and later by other houses; the distributor's name on the jacket or spine does not affect first-printing status, which should be judged by the Evans copyright-page statement.
Does M. Evans and Company use a number line?
Distribution note: many M. Evans titles were distributed by J.B. Lippincott and later by other houses; the distributor's name on the jacket or spine does not affect first-printing status, which should be judged by the Evans copyright-page statement.
Is a book-club edition a M. Evans and Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A small independent New York house best known for popular non-fiction, including diet, health, and self-improvement titles.
What era does this cover?
This covers M. Evans and Company (c.1963-2005). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.