More ways to confirm a first printing
- First-thus reprints are labeled with wording such as "First Mariner Books edition [year]" on the copyright page
Notable points & cautions
- Mariner was Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's trade paperback imprint; HarperCollins acquired the HMH trade division (including Mariner) in 2021, completing the deal in May and rebranding adult HMH trade titles as Mariner Books in July 2021
- Era/ownership is the key caveat: pre-2021 Mariner/HMH titles follow Houghton Mifflin Harcourt conventions, while post-2021 Mariner is a HarperCollins group
- Many Mariner editions are paperback reprints rather than true first editions of the work
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Mariner, Mariner Books Classics. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Mariner Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Originals carry a stated "FIRST EDITION" with a number line descending to 1 on a first printing First-thus reprints are labeled with wording such as "First Mariner Books edition [year]" on the copyright page
Does Mariner Books use a number line?
First-thus reprints are labeled with wording such as "First Mariner Books edition [year]" on the copyright page
Is a book-club edition a Mariner Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Mariner was Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's trade paperback imprint; HarperCollins acquired the HMH trade division (including Mariner) in 2021, completing the deal in May and rebranding adult HMH trade titles as Mariner Books in July 2021
What era does this cover?
This covers Mariner Books (as HMH paperback line 1990s-2021; HarperCollins 2021-). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.
Clearing out a shelf that includes Mariner Books books? I take books as a free donation and make sure collectible copies are identified, not discarded: free pickup in the Albuquerque metro (scheduled by route), the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, or donor-paid mail-in from anywhere in the US. Call or text 505-250-3804.