How to identify a first printing
- First editions state "First published [Year]" or "First published in Great Britain [Year]" on the copyright page with later printings noted
- First printing = statement present AND no subsequent-impression lines
- Modern (Penguin-owned) titles use number lines ending in 1
- Confirm via clean copyright page free of 'Reprinted/Second impression' notation
Notable points & cautions
- Strong commercial fiction list: H.E. Bates, Dick Francis, Monica Dickens, James Herriot (UK), Catherine Cookson
- Now an imprint within Penguin Random House
- Book-club and Reprint Society (World Books) editions are common look-alikes to weed out
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Michael Joseph, Mermaid Books, Pelham Books (sibling), Michael Joseph (under Penguin later). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Michael Joseph book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First editions state "First published [Year]" or "First published in Great Britain [Year]" on the copyright page with later printings noted First printing = statement present AND no subsequent-impression lines
Does Michael Joseph use a number line?
First printing = statement present AND no subsequent-impression lines
Is a book-club edition a Michael Joseph first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Strong commercial fiction list: H.E. Bates, Dick Francis, Monica Dickens, James Herriot (UK), Catherine Cookson
What era does this cover?
This covers Michael Joseph (1935-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.