How to identify a first printing
- 1904-c.1930: Earliest 'Publications of the University of Manchester' were distributed through trade houses — Sherratt & Hughes of Manchester from 1904, then Longmans, Green & Co. from 1913. The title page may carry the distributor's name; the first printing is identified by title-page date and series number with no reprint statement.
- c.1930-c.1990: Own MUP imprint with British-convention copyright page: 'First published [year]', '© [year] Manchester University Press', and no reprint note on a first printing; later printings note 'Reprinted [year]' or a new edition.
- c.1990-present: 'First published [year] by Manchester University Press' plus a number line on the verso indicating impression (lowest digit = impression); a full line ending in 1 with no reprint statement indicates a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1904 as the Publications Committee of the Victoria University of Manchester (first head James Tait, succeeded by Thomas Tout); one of the larger UK university presses.
- Early titles are series-numbered ('Publications of the University of Manchester, No. ...'), which aids dating; only 17 publications appeared in the first year.
- Pre-imprint titles bound and distributed by trade houses can mislead — the publisher of record is Manchester even when the distributor's name (Sherratt & Hughes or Longmans, Green) dominates the title page.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Manchester University Press, Sherratt & Hughes (early distributor, from 1904), Longmans, Green (later distributor, from 1913). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Manchester University Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1904-c.1930: Earliest 'Publications of the University of Manchester' were distributed through trade houses — Sherratt & Hughes of Manchester from 1904, then Longmans, Green & Co. from 1913. The title page may carry the distributor's name; the first printing is identified by title-page date and series number with no reprint statement. c.1930-c.1990: Own MUP imprint with British-convention copyright page: 'First published [year]', '© [year] Manchester University Press', and no reprint note on a first printing; later printings note 'Reprinted [year]' or a new edition.
Does Manchester University Press use a number line?
c.1930-c.1990: Own MUP imprint with British-convention copyright page: 'First published [year]', '© [year] Manchester University Press', and no reprint note on a first printing; later printings note 'Reprinted [year]' or a new edition.
Is a book-club edition a Manchester University Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1904 as the Publications Committee of the Victoria University of Manchester (first head James Tait, succeeded by Thomas Tout); one of the larger UK university presses.
What era does this cover?
This covers Manchester University Press (1904-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.