How to identify a first printing
- 1996-1999 (Cleveland zine/distro era): Self-published zines and chapbooks, frequently undated and unnumbered; first printings identified by Cleveland, Ohio origin and hand-assembled production. Many early zines carry no formal copyright page at all.
- 1999-c.2010 (early Portland era): Books and zines after the move to Portland, Oregon; many first printings carry no number line — identify by the Portland address and a 'first printing / first edition, YEAR' note where present. Popular zine-titles exist in multiple printings, often marked 'Nth printing' in the colophon.
- c.2010-present: More conventional trade copyright pages; perfect-bound books use a descending number line, lowest digit indicating the printing. Microcosm often states the printing number, and sometimes the press run, in the colophon — read the colophon, which frequently states the printing explicitly.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in 1996 by Joe Biel in Cleveland, Ohio (run from his bedroom/closet) as a zine, record, and book distro; relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1999, where it remains based, with a continued Cleveland presence.
- Punk/DIY ethos means bibliographic conventions are loose on early material — many items are undated, so an explicit colophon note is often the best dating tool.
- Long-running titles (for example bicycle and self-care zines and books) appear in many printings; collectibility favors the earliest Cleveland and early-Portland printings.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Microcosm Publishing. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Microcosm Publishing book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1996-1999 (Cleveland zine/distro era): Self-published zines and chapbooks, frequently undated and unnumbered; first printings identified by Cleveland, Ohio origin and hand-assembled production. Many early zines carry no formal copyright page at all. 1999-c.2010 (early Portland era): Books and zines after the move to Portland, Oregon; many first printings carry no number line — identify by the Portland address and a 'first printing / first edition, YEAR' note where present. Popular zine-titles exist in multiple printings, often marked 'Nth printing' in the colophon.
Does Microcosm Publishing use a number line?
1999-c.2010 (early Portland era): Books and zines after the move to Portland, Oregon; many first printings carry no number line — identify by the Portland address and a 'first printing / first edition, YEAR' note where present. Popular zine-titles exist in multiple printings, often marked 'Nth printing' in the colophon.
Is a book-club edition a Microcosm Publishing first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in 1996 by Joe Biel in Cleveland, Ohio (run from his bedroom/closet) as a zine, record, and book distro; relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1999, where it remains based, with a continued Cleveland presence.
What era does this cover?
This covers Microcosm Publishing (1996-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.