The fastest check: First printing shows a complete number line counting down to 1 with no later-printing notice
How to identify a first printing
- First printing shows a complete number line counting down to 1 with no later-printing notice
- Typically paired with a stated "First Edition" on the copyright page, following Henry Holt/Macmillan practice
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Literary and political-nonfiction imprint within Henry Holt at Macmillan, co-founded by Sara Bershtel in 1995
- Published authors including Atul Gawande, Barbara Ehrenreich, Thomas Frank, and Susan Faludi
- Identification follows Holt/Macmillan conventions, not any imprint-specific rule
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Metropolitan, Metropolitan Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Metropolitan Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing shows a complete number line counting down to 1 with no later-printing notice Typically paired with a stated "First Edition" on the copyright page, following Henry Holt/Macmillan practice
Does Metropolitan Books use a number line?
Typically paired with a stated "First Edition" on the copyright page, following Henry Holt/Macmillan practice
Is a book-club edition a Metropolitan Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Literary and political-nonfiction imprint within Henry Holt at Macmillan, co-founded by Sara Bershtel in 1995
What era does this cover?
This covers Metropolitan Books (1995–2022). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.