How to identify a first printing
- 1980-present: a first/only edition is identified by the COLOPHON limitation statement; the press of Gaylord Schanilec, known above all for color wood engraving. The colophon records the limitation, the engraving and printing method, the papers, the types, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed. There is no number line or 'First Edition' slug.
- For the landmark natural-history titles (Mayflies of the Driftless Region, 2005; Sylvae, 2007; Lac des Pleurs, 2015) verify the edition size and any variant state against the press's own descriptions and the published Schanilec bibliography (Rulon-Miller's 'Quarter to Midnight', 2011).
- Color wood engravings printed from multiple blocks are the signature feature; some titles include a separately issued specimen or suite described in the colophon.
Notable points & cautions
- Gaylord Schanilec is a leading contemporary practitioner of color wood engraving in books.
- Each book is a limited first; the engraving technique itself is an authenticity tell.
- Some natural-history titles carry pasted-in wood specimens or samples described in the colophon.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Midnight Paper Sales book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1980-present: a first/only edition is identified by the COLOPHON limitation statement; the press of Gaylord Schanilec, known above all for color wood engraving. The colophon records the limitation, the engraving and printing method, the papers, the types, and the date; the copy number is hand-inscribed. There is no number line or 'First Edition' slug. For the landmark natural-history titles (Mayflies of the Driftless Region, 2005; Sylvae, 2007; Lac des Pleurs, 2015) verify the edition size and any variant state against the press's own descriptions and the published Schanilec bibliography (Rulon-Miller's 'Quarter to Midnight', 2011).
Does Midnight Paper Sales use a number line?
For the landmark natural-history titles (Mayflies of the Driftless Region, 2005; Sylvae, 2007; Lac des Pleurs, 2015) verify the edition size and any variant state against the press's own descriptions and the published Schanilec bibliography (Rulon-Miller's 'Quarter to Midnight', 2011).
Is a book-club edition a Midnight Paper Sales first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Gaylord Schanilec is a leading contemporary practitioner of color wood engraving in books.
What era does this cover?
This covers Midnight Paper Sales (1980-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.