How to identify a first printing
- 2001-present: Student-run teaching press of Portland State University's graduate book-publishing program. First printings carry a copyright-page 'First edition' or 'First published [year]' statement; when a descending number line is present, the lowest digit indicates the printing. Small academic-program runs mean most titles exist in only a single printing.
- Era tell: any genuine Ooligan title postdates the program's 2001 founding; the PSU/Portland imprint and student-press colophon confirm provenance.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 2001 by publisher and writer Dennis Stovall as the hands-on arm of PSU's master's program in book publishing; about 60 titles in its first 20 years.
- Name from a Chinook Jargon word for the smelt/candlefish (eulachon), folk-etymologically tied to the name 'Oregon'.
- Regional Pacific Northwest focus (every title connects to the region by author, setting, or theme); the student-teaching-press provenance is itself a collectible angle.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Ooligan Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Ooligan Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 2001-present: Student-run teaching press of Portland State University's graduate book-publishing program. First printings carry a copyright-page 'First edition' or 'First published [year]' statement; when a descending number line is present, the lowest digit indicates the printing. Small academic-program runs mean most titles exist in only a single printing. Era tell: any genuine Ooligan title postdates the program's 2001 founding; the PSU/Portland imprint and student-press colophon confirm provenance.
Does Ooligan Press use a number line?
Era tell: any genuine Ooligan title postdates the program's 2001 founding; the PSU/Portland imprint and student-press colophon confirm provenance.
Is a book-club edition a Ooligan Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 2001 by publisher and writer Dennis Stovall as the hands-on arm of PSU's master's program in book publishing; about 60 titles in its first 20 years.
What era does this cover?
This covers Ooligan Press (2001-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.