How to identify a first printing
- 1961-c.1990: Founded 1961; the first-year list ran to eight books, including 'Atlas of the Pacific Northwest,' 'Winter Twigs,' and the best-selling 'Weather of Oregon.' Early scholarly and natural-science first printings carry no number line; identify by a copyright year that matches first publication and by the absence of revised/later-printing language. Perennials such as 'Atlas of the Pacific Northwest' and 'Winter Twigs' have been reissued in later editions, so verify the edition statement.
- c.1990-present: Descending number line on the copyright page, with the lowest digit indicating the printing; 'First published [year]' statements are common on regional trade titles, and single-printing scholarly titles are the norm.
- Distribution-era tell: OSU Press has long been distributed through the Chicago Distribution Center, so a CDC distribution notice on the copyright page points to a later printing/era rather than the original first-printing state.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1961 and heralded at the time as Oregon's first university press; it remains the only academic press in the state.
- Focus on Pacific Northwest history, natural history, environmental history, and regional literature.
- Several first-year natural-history titles run to multiple editions, so for those the edition statement matters more than the printing.
- Publishes roughly a dozen-plus titles per year as a unit of Oregon State University.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: OSU Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Oregon State University Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1961-c.1990: Founded 1961; the first-year list ran to eight books, including 'Atlas of the Pacific Northwest,' 'Winter Twigs,' and the best-selling 'Weather of Oregon.' Early scholarly and natural-science first printings carry no number line; identify by a copyright year that matches first publication and by the absence of revised/later-printing language. Perennials such as 'Atlas of the Pacific Northwest' and 'Winter Twigs' have been reissued in later editions, so verify the edition statement. c.1990-present: Descending number line on the copyright page, with the lowest digit indicating the printing; 'First published [year]' statements are common on regional trade titles, and single-printing scholarly titles are the norm.
Does Oregon State University Press use a number line?
c.1990-present: Descending number line on the copyright page, with the lowest digit indicating the printing; 'First published [year]' statements are common on regional trade titles, and single-printing scholarly titles are the norm.
Is a book-club edition a Oregon State University Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1961 and heralded at the time as Oregon's first university press; it remains the only academic press in the state.
What era does this cover?
This covers Oregon State University Press (1961-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.