How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page states 'First published [year] by Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation'; a first printing carries no 'Reprinted' line and the stated year matches the copyright year.
- Heavily reprinted children's and picture-book titles add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — the first printing has the bare 'First published' statement only.
- Number lines are uncommon; rely on the statement plus a matching copyright year and the absence of any reprint notice.
Notable points & cautions
- Australia's leading Indigenous-owned publisher, based in Broome, WA. Origins trace to a 1984 gathering of Aboriginal elders and leaders at Ngumpan, near Fitzroy Crossing, under the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC); the first book was published in 1987 and the press became an independent registered Aboriginal corporation in 1990. The name 'Magabala' refers to the bush banana (Kimberley languages).
- Its first published title was 'Mayi: Some Bush Fruits of the West Kimberley' by Merrilee Lands (1987); Glenyse Ward's autobiography 'Wandering Girl' was an early flagship. Magabala also publishes Indigenous authors such as Bruce Pascoe, Alexis Wright, Ali Cobby Eckermann and Alison Whittaker, and Indigenous-authored firsts are the collectible focus.
- Many award-winning picture books are reprinted often; for those, distinguishing the first printing requires confirming the absence of any reprint line.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Magabala Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Magabala Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page states 'First published [year] by Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation'; a first printing carries no 'Reprinted' line and the stated year matches the copyright year. Heavily reprinted children's and picture-book titles add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — the first printing has the bare 'First published' statement only.
Does Magabala Books use a number line?
Heavily reprinted children's and picture-book titles add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line — the first printing has the bare 'First published' statement only.
Is a book-club edition a Magabala Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Australia's leading Indigenous-owned publisher, based in Broome, WA. Origins trace to a 1984 gathering of Aboriginal elders and leaders at Ngumpan, near Fitzroy Crossing, under the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC); the first book was published in 1987 and the press became an independent registered Aboriginal corporation in 1990. The name 'Magabala' refers to the bush banana (Kimberley languages).
What era does this cover?
This covers Magabala Books (1987–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.