How to identify a first printing
- 1979-c.2005 (offset-print era): Independent academic/reference publisher (film, TV, music, and pop-culture reference). First printings are identified by a descending number line on the copyright page, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a full line ending in '1' = first printing); a Library of Congress CIP block is typically present.
- c.2005-present (digital short-run + print-on-demand era): McFarland moved heavily to short-run and print-on-demand, so later 'printings' may be produced on demand without a changed number line, making the number line a LESS reliable printing indicator for recent titles. For these, identify the title/edition by the copyright year and any 'First edition' statement and treat number-line firstness cautiously.
- All eras: McFarland states the year and often a printing line; initial runs are small, so genuine first printings of niche film/music reference are scarce but rarely command edition premiums.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1979 by Robert Franklin in Jefferson, NC; large long-tail of FILM, TV, and MUSIC reference/encyclopedic titles — a core house for this niche slice.
- Integrates traditional offset printing with digital short-run/print-on-demand (notably post ~2005), which erodes the reliability of number-line printing identification for newer titles.
- Small initial runs make true firsts genuinely scarce.
- Exposit and Toplight are McFarland sub-imprints.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: McFarland, Exposit Books, Toplight Books, McFarland (pop-culture/film/music reference). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my McFarland & Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1979-c.2005 (offset-print era): Independent academic/reference publisher (film, TV, music, and pop-culture reference). First printings are identified by a descending number line on the copyright page, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a full line ending in '1' = first printing); a Library of Congress CIP block is typically present. c.2005-present (digital short-run + print-on-demand era): McFarland moved heavily to short-run and print-on-demand, so later 'printings' may be produced on demand without a changed number line, making the number line a LESS reliable printing indicator for recent titles. For these, identify the title/edition by the copyright year and any 'First edition' statement and treat number-line firstness cautiously.
Does McFarland & Company use a number line?
c.2005-present (digital short-run + print-on-demand era): McFarland moved heavily to short-run and print-on-demand, so later 'printings' may be produced on demand without a changed number line, making the number line a LESS reliable printing indicator for recent titles. For these, identify the title/edition by the copyright year and any 'First edition' statement and treat number-line firstness cautiously.
Is a book-club edition a McFarland & Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1979 by Robert Franklin in Jefferson, NC; large long-tail of FILM, TV, and MUSIC reference/encyclopedic titles — a core house for this niche slice.
What era does this cover?
This covers McFarland & Company (1979-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.