How to identify a first printing
- Early titles (pre-c.1975): Historical-society publications, often with no first-printing statement; later printings/impressions noted; a first printing shows matching title/copyright dates with no added printing line.
- c.1975–present: Number line on the copyright page; the lowest number present indicates the printing, so a '1' present indicates a first printing. Library of Congress CIP block standard; the press participates in the LC CIP program.
- Borealis Books (national trade imprint) and Borealis Reprints: a Borealis edition states 'Borealis Books edition' with a first-Borealis-printing year and is the trade/reprint state — a Borealis reprint of an older Minnesota classic is not the original first edition, and its Borealis printing line dates only that reissue.
Notable points & cautions
- Publishing arm of the Minnesota Historical Society (society founded 1849; the press dates to 1859); the oldest publisher in Minnesota and the largest historical-society press in the country.
- Borealis Books is the national trade imprint; Borealis Reprints revives Upper-Midwest classics — the chief first-edition pitfall here.
- Strong list on Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, Ojibwe/Dakota history, and immigrant/ethnic history.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Borealis Books, Borealis Reprints. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Minnesota Historical Society Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Early titles (pre-c.1975): Historical-society publications, often with no first-printing statement; later printings/impressions noted; a first printing shows matching title/copyright dates with no added printing line. c.1975–present: Number line on the copyright page; the lowest number present indicates the printing, so a '1' present indicates a first printing. Library of Congress CIP block standard; the press participates in the LC CIP program.
Does Minnesota Historical Society Press use a number line?
c.1975–present: Number line on the copyright page; the lowest number present indicates the printing, so a '1' present indicates a first printing. Library of Congress CIP block standard; the press participates in the LC CIP program.
Is a book-club edition a Minnesota Historical Society Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Publishing arm of the Minnesota Historical Society (society founded 1849; the press dates to 1859); the oldest publisher in Minnesota and the largest historical-society press in the country.
What era does this cover?
This covers Minnesota Historical Society Press (1859–present (press; Minnesota Historical Society founded 1849)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.