How to identify a first printing
- First printings carry a descending number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing.
- New World Library copyright pages frequently also state the printing explicitly (for example 'First printing, [Month Year]'), which gives a clear date-stamped confirmation when present.
- Where a paired year line accompanies the number line, the first printing shows both the lowest year and the digit 1.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in 1977 by Marc Allen and Shakti Gawain (originally self-published as Whatever Publishing; renamed New World Library in the mid-1980s).
- Publisher of high-printing perennial sellers - Eckhart Tolle's 'The Power of Now,' Joseph Campbell reissues, Deepak Chopra and others - so an explicit 'First printing' line, when present, is the most useful tell against later printings.
- H J Kramer titles are published in a joint venture with New World Library beginning in 2000; the copyright page names both, and the relevant edition is judged by its own stated printing.
- Nataraj Publishing was a division of New World Library carrying Shakti Gawain's titles; older Nataraj copies predate full New World Library conventions.
- 'The Power of Now' has a tangled edition history (Namaste Publishing in Canada issued it first, then New World Library in the US), so distinguish the Canadian Namaste first from the US New World Library first.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: New World Library, Nataraj Publishing (a division of New World Library; Shakti Gawain titles - now historical), H J Kramer (joint-venture imprint since 2000). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my New World Library book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printings carry a descending number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing. New World Library copyright pages frequently also state the printing explicitly (for example 'First printing, [Month Year]'), which gives a clear date-stamped confirmation when present.
Does New World Library use a number line?
New World Library copyright pages frequently also state the printing explicitly (for example 'First printing, [Month Year]'), which gives a clear date-stamped confirmation when present.
Is a book-club edition a New World Library first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in 1977 by Marc Allen and Shakti Gawain (originally self-published as Whatever Publishing; renamed New World Library in the mid-1980s).
What era does this cover?
This covers New World Library (1977-present (founded as Whatever Publishing; renamed New World Library in the mid-1980s)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.