How to identify a first printing
- Modern firsts carry a full descending number line; a '1' present indicates the first printing.
- First printing has a clean copyright page with no reprint lines.
- TriQuarterly Books literary titles follow the same number-line convention.
Notable points & cautions
- TriQuarterly Books (established 1990, formalized 1992) is the literary fiction and poetry imprint, collectible for contemporary poetry and award-winning fiction.
- Marlboro Press (20th-century literature translated from French and Italian) was absorbed and its backlist reissued under the Marlboro Press/Northwestern imprint.
- Standard academic caveat applies for older titles lacking explicit first-printing statements.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: TriQuarterly Books, Hydra Books, Marlboro Press/Northwestern (acquired). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Northwestern University Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern firsts carry a full descending number line; a '1' present indicates the first printing. First printing has a clean copyright page with no reprint lines.
Does Northwestern University Press use a number line?
First printing has a clean copyright page with no reprint lines.
Is a book-club edition a Northwestern University Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. TriQuarterly Books (established 1990, formalized 1992) is the literary fiction and poetry imprint, collectible for contemporary poetry and award-winning fiction.
What era does this cover?
This covers Northwestern University Press (1893/1957-present (modern press)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.