How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page: 'First published in [year] by Peepal Tree Press Ltd' (Leeds); a true first carries the first-published year with no reprint or impression notice.
- No number line; standard British 'First published' convention. Later printings add a 'Reprinted [year]' line.
- Caribbean Modern Classics reissues carry their own series line plus a 'this edition [year]' / new-introduction note. Treat these as reissues, not the title's original first appearance.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1985 by Jeremy Poynting; conceived in 1984 after a paper shortage halted book production in Guyana. The inaugural title was Rooplall Monar's 'Backdam People', printed at Thomas Danby College in Leeds where Poynting worked.
- Leading publisher of Caribbean, Black British, and South Asian literature; for many significant Caribbean writers the Peepal Tree edition is the first or only edition, so it is the definitive first.
- Named for the sacred peepal (ficus religiosa) tree associated with Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean; specialises in poetry and fiction with small print runs.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Peepal Tree Press, Caribbean Modern Classics (series), Inscribe (Black/Asian writers development imprint). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Peepal Tree Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page: 'First published in [year] by Peepal Tree Press Ltd' (Leeds); a true first carries the first-published year with no reprint or impression notice. No number line; standard British 'First published' convention. Later printings add a 'Reprinted [year]' line.
Does Peepal Tree Press use a number line?
No number line; standard British 'First published' convention. Later printings add a 'Reprinted [year]' line.
Is a book-club edition a Peepal Tree Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1985 by Jeremy Poynting; conceived in 1984 after a paper shortage halted book production in Guyana. The inaugural title was Rooplall Monar's 'Backdam People', printed at Thomas Danby College in Leeds where Poynting worked.
What era does this cover?
This covers Peepal Tree Press (1985-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.