How to identify a first printing
- 1977-1990s (Helen Elliott / Southern-trade era): A first printing is typically shown by a number line on the copyright page where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a '1' present = first printing); some titles also state 'First edition.' Where neither is present, a matching copyright date with no later-printing notation indicates the first printing. This era focused on adult Southern fiction and humor.
- 1990s-present (children's-book era under Margaret Quinlin): the standard tell is a full number line (for example '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') with the lowest digit present indicating the printing; many titles ALSO state 'First Edition.' For picture books, a stated 'First Edition' together with a number line containing '1' is the reliable first-printing combination; later printings drop the '1' and/or remove the 'First Edition' line.
- Sub-imprints (Peachtree Junior, Peachtree Teen, Peachtree Petite, FreeStone): follow the same number-line convention as the parent at the time of issue.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1977 by Helen Elliott in Atlanta; the first Southern trade house to reach national distribution and the New York Times bestseller list; later pivoted to a leading children's/YA publisher.
- Margaret Quinlin took majority ownership in 1990 and led the shift from regional adult trade to children's books; the company was acquired by Trustbridge Global Media in 2018.
- Genuine collected Peachtree adult firsts include Ferrol Sams's novels (for example 'Run with the Horsemen', 1982). Note: Olive Ann Burns's 'Cold Sassy Tree' was first published by Ticknor & Fields in 1984 and is NOT a Peachtree first edition — do not attribute it to Peachtree.
- Children's-era firsts reliably combine a 'First Edition' statement with a number line.
- Brand consolidated under 'Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.' in recent years.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Peachtree, Peachtree Junior, Peachtree Teen, Peachtree Petite, FreeStone (earlier YA imprint). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Peachtree Publishers (Peachtree Publishing Company) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1977-1990s (Helen Elliott / Southern-trade era): A first printing is typically shown by a number line on the copyright page where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a '1' present = first printing); some titles also state 'First edition.' Where neither is present, a matching copyright date with no later-printing notation indicates the first printing. This era focused on adult Southern fiction and humor. 1990s-present (children's-book era under Margaret Quinlin): the standard tell is a full number line (for example '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') with the lowest digit present indicating the printing; many titles ALSO state 'First Edition.' For picture books, a stated 'First Edition' together with a number line containing '1' is the reliable first-printing combination; later printings drop the '1' and/or remove the 'First Edition' line.
Does Peachtree Publishers (Peachtree Publishing Company) use a number line?
1990s-present (children's-book era under Margaret Quinlin): the standard tell is a full number line (for example '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') with the lowest digit present indicating the printing; many titles ALSO state 'First Edition.' For picture books, a stated 'First Edition' together with a number line containing '1' is the reliable first-printing combination; later printings drop the '1' and/or remove the 'First Edition' line.
Is a book-club edition a Peachtree Publishers (Peachtree Publishing Company) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1977 by Helen Elliott in Atlanta; the first Southern trade house to reach national distribution and the New York Times bestseller list; later pivoted to a leading children's/YA publisher.
What era does this cover?
This covers Peachtree Publishers (Peachtree Publishing Company) (1977-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.