How to identify a first printing
- 1972–present: first printings state 'First Edition' or 'First Printing' on the copyright page; modern titles add a number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing.
- 1972–c.1990 'Boskone Books' (small format, ~5.25 x 7.25 in): convention-linked books in small runs (Scribblings was 500 numbered copies). The standard cloth binding is the ordinary issue; a tiny 'finebound' leather state (about half a dozen per title, advance-subscription only) is the true rarity.
- 1991–present 'NESFA's Choice' (standard ~5.5 x 8.5 in): begins with The Best of James H. Schmitz (1991); first printings state 'First Edition' and most are single-printing.
- Distinguish the leather finebound subscription state from trade cloth by the binding and a subscription/limitation note.
Notable points & cautions
- NESFA was founded in 1967; the first NESFA Press hardcover was Scribblings by L. Sprague de Camp (1972), a Boskone Book issued in 500 numbered copies.
- Specializes in definitive author retrospective omnibuses (Schmitz, Cordwainer Smith, Zelazny, Anderson).
- Volunteer fan-run press with meticulous publication records kept on nesfa.org.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Boskone Books, NESFA's Choice. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my NESFA Press (New England Science Fiction Association) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1972–present: first printings state 'First Edition' or 'First Printing' on the copyright page; modern titles add a number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing. 1972–c.1990 'Boskone Books' (small format, ~5.25 x 7.25 in): convention-linked books in small runs (Scribblings was 500 numbered copies). The standard cloth binding is the ordinary issue; a tiny 'finebound' leather state (about half a dozen per title, advance-subscription only) is the true rarity.
Does NESFA Press (New England Science Fiction Association) use a number line?
1972–c.1990 'Boskone Books' (small format, ~5.25 x 7.25 in): convention-linked books in small runs (Scribblings was 500 numbered copies). The standard cloth binding is the ordinary issue; a tiny 'finebound' leather state (about half a dozen per title, advance-subscription only) is the true rarity.
Is a book-club edition a NESFA Press (New England Science Fiction Association) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. NESFA was founded in 1967; the first NESFA Press hardcover was Scribblings by L. Sprague de Camp (1972), a Boskone Book issued in 500 numbered copies.
What era does this cover?
This covers NESFA Press (New England Science Fiction Association) (1972-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.