How to identify a first printing
- UK-style identification: first printings carry a descending number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') on the copyright/imprint page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing.
- The imprint page names 'No Exit Press' as an imprint of Oldcastle Books — confirm the Oldcastle/No Exit colophon together with the first-printing date and an intact number line.
- The crime line was issued mainly in B-format paperback plus some hardcovers; the absence of any 'reprinted' or later-printing notation alongside a full number line marks the first.
Notable points & cautions
- Crime imprint founded in 1987 by Ion Mills within Oldcastle Books (established 1985), Harpenden; long the company's flagship crime list.
- Publishes UK firsts of US and other foreign crime authors, so a No Exit 'first' may be a first UK edition rather than the world first — note origin for points.
- Ownership of the imprint moved to the newly launched Bedford Square Publishers (announced December 2022), while Ion Mills continued with Oldcastle Books; recent copyright pages reflect the change, but the number-line rule still applies.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: No Exit Press (imprint of Oldcastle Books), Verve Books (sister imprint), No Exit Press (Bedford Square Publishers era). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my No Exit Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. UK-style identification: first printings carry a descending number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') on the copyright/imprint page; the lowest digit present indicates the printing. The imprint page names 'No Exit Press' as an imprint of Oldcastle Books — confirm the Oldcastle/No Exit colophon together with the first-printing date and an intact number line.
Does No Exit Press use a number line?
The imprint page names 'No Exit Press' as an imprint of Oldcastle Books — confirm the Oldcastle/No Exit colophon together with the first-printing date and an intact number line.
Is a book-club edition a No Exit Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Crime imprint founded in 1987 by Ion Mills within Oldcastle Books (established 1985), Harpenden; long the company's flagship crime list.
What era does this cover?
This covers No Exit Press (1987–present (acquired by Bedford Square Publishers, announced December 2022)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.