How to identify a first printing
- c.1880-1901 (Donohue & Henneberry): predecessor firm issuing inexpensive reprints, fiction sets, and children's books. No edition statements; date a copy by the imprint name and Chicago address, the copyright-page state, and the binding.
- 1901-1960s (M. A. Donohue & Co.): high-volume inexpensive children's books, linen books, and reprints. First printings carry no 'first edition' statement; identify the earliest state by the Chicago Dearborn Street imprint address, the copyright-page state, and the rear advertised-title list. Because Donohue overwhelmingly reprinted, a Donohue imprint on a famous title generally indicates a reprint rather than a first edition.
- Raggedy Ann and similar titles: Donohue issued inexpensive reprints of well-known children's properties after the original publishers' lines ended; these are clearly later than the first publishers' firsts and are identified by the Donohue imprint and reset or altered plates.
Notable points & cautions
- Chicago reprint and inexpensive-children's house; its lineage runs Cox & Donohue (bookbinders, c.1861) to Donohue & Henneberry (c.1880) to M. A. Donohue & Co. (1901, after Donohue bought out Henneberry).
- A Donohue imprint on a well-known title is usually a reprint, not a first edition.
- Issued later inexpensive reprints of popular children's properties after the originating publishers' lines folded; these are not the originating firsts.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: M. A. Donohue & Co., Donohue & Henneberry (predecessor, c.1880-1901). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my M. A. Donohue & Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. c.1880-1901 (Donohue & Henneberry): predecessor firm issuing inexpensive reprints, fiction sets, and children's books. No edition statements; date a copy by the imprint name and Chicago address, the copyright-page state, and the binding. 1901-1960s (M. A. Donohue & Co.): high-volume inexpensive children's books, linen books, and reprints. First printings carry no 'first edition' statement; identify the earliest state by the Chicago Dearborn Street imprint address, the copyright-page state, and the rear advertised-title list. Because Donohue overwhelmingly reprinted, a Donohue imprint on a famous title generally indicates a reprint rather than a first edition.
Does M. A. Donohue & Company use a number line?
1901-1960s (M. A. Donohue & Co.): high-volume inexpensive children's books, linen books, and reprints. First printings carry no 'first edition' statement; identify the earliest state by the Chicago Dearborn Street imprint address, the copyright-page state, and the rear advertised-title list. Because Donohue overwhelmingly reprinted, a Donohue imprint on a famous title generally indicates a reprint rather than a first edition.
Is a book-club edition a M. A. Donohue & Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Chicago reprint and inexpensive-children's house; its lineage runs Cox & Donohue (bookbinders, c.1861) to Donohue & Henneberry (c.1880) to M. A. Donohue & Co. (1901, after Donohue bought out Henneberry).
What era does this cover?
This covers M. A. Donohue & Company (1861 (Cox & Donohue roots)-1960s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.