How to identify a first printing
- Independent era (first books fall 1980 through ~1991): look for a stated 'First edition' or 'First printing' on the copyright page; many titles also carry a descending number line where the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a '1' indicates a first printing.
- Confirm the era from the imprint name and address: independent North Point firsts show a Berkeley, California imprint and address, while the FSG-revived imprint shows FSG/Macmillan New York imprint data.
- Post-revival era (under FSG): FSG's own first-printing practice applies. Modern FSG/Macmillan titles use a descending number line ending in '1'; older FSG titles instead carry a stated 'First edition' or 'First printing, [year]' line, so check the wording for the period.
- Several North Point titles also appeared in quality paperback; distinguish the first hardcover from a simultaneous or first paperback issue.
Notable points & cautions
- Esteemed Berkeley literary and nature press, co-founded in 1979 by Jack Shoemaker and William Turnbull with first books appearing in fall 1980, known for fine book design and for authors including Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, Evan S. Connell, and reissues of M.F.K. Fisher.
- The independent press stopped issuing new books around 1990-1991; FSG acquired the backlist and name in the early 1990s and later revived North Point as a nonfiction imprint, so verifying the era via imprint and address is essential.
- Design-conscious production means jacket and binding condition matter to collectors.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Imprint of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (a Macmillan company) after FSG acquired the North Point backlist and name in the early 1990s. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my North Point Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Independent era (first books fall 1980 through ~1991): look for a stated 'First edition' or 'First printing' on the copyright page; many titles also carry a descending number line where the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a '1' indicates a first printing. Confirm the era from the imprint name and address: independent North Point firsts show a Berkeley, California imprint and address, while the FSG-revived imprint shows FSG/Macmillan New York imprint data.
Does North Point Press use a number line?
Confirm the era from the imprint name and address: independent North Point firsts show a Berkeley, California imprint and address, while the FSG-revived imprint shows FSG/Macmillan New York imprint data.
Is a book-club edition a North Point Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Esteemed Berkeley literary and nature press, co-founded in 1979 by Jack Shoemaker and William Turnbull with first books appearing in fall 1980, known for fine book design and for authors including Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, Evan S. Connell, and reissues of M.F.K. Fisher.
What era does this cover?
This covers North Point Press (1980-present (independent books 1980-1991, founded 1979; revived as a Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint after the FSG backlist acquisition ~1992-1993)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.