How to identify a first printing
- 1948-1951 (Doubleday era, P-series): Permabooks launched in 1948 as small, durable board-bound 'permanent' books (a stiff-board format, not the limp paperback look), promoted as 'Books of Permanent Value.' The board-cover format itself dates a copy to this earliest 1948-1951 window. First printing is shown by the copyright-page printing statement; absence of any later-printing note indicates a first.
- 1951-1954 (Doubleday era, standard paperback): From 1951 Doubleday switched Permabooks to the conventional limp paperback format (still P-prefix). First printing is identified by the copyright printing statement; the original cover price helps date the issue.
- 1954-1960s (Pocket Books era, M-series): In 1954 Doubleday sold Permabooks to Pocket Books, which retained the name as an imprint and renumbered with an M-prefix, issuing both originals and reprints. First printing for this era follows Pocket Books' printing-statement convention of the period.
- Identification shortcut: P-prefix = Doubleday era (1948-1954); M-prefix = Pocket Books era (1954+).
Notable points & cautions
- Began in 1948 as small board-bound 'permanent books' — an unusual durable format (not limp paperback) that distinguishes the earliest 1948-1951 issues.
- Switched to the standard limp-paperback look in 1951; the original board format lasted only about three years.
- Sold by Doubleday to Pocket Books in 1954, which kept the Permabooks name and issued both originals and reprints.
- Two distinct numbering regimes — P-prefix under Doubleday, M-prefix under Pocket Books — let the series code place a title in its ownership era.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Permabooks (Doubleday, P-series), Permabooks (Pocket Books, M-series). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Perma Books (Permabooks) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1948-1951 (Doubleday era, P-series): Permabooks launched in 1948 as small, durable board-bound 'permanent' books (a stiff-board format, not the limp paperback look), promoted as 'Books of Permanent Value.' The board-cover format itself dates a copy to this earliest 1948-1951 window. First printing is shown by the copyright-page printing statement; absence of any later-printing note indicates a first. 1951-1954 (Doubleday era, standard paperback): From 1951 Doubleday switched Permabooks to the conventional limp paperback format (still P-prefix). First printing is identified by the copyright printing statement; the original cover price helps date the issue.
Does Perma Books (Permabooks) use a number line?
1951-1954 (Doubleday era, standard paperback): From 1951 Doubleday switched Permabooks to the conventional limp paperback format (still P-prefix). First printing is identified by the copyright printing statement; the original cover price helps date the issue.
Is a book-club edition a Perma Books (Permabooks) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Began in 1948 as small board-bound 'permanent books' — an unusual durable format (not limp paperback) that distinguishes the earliest 1948-1951 issues.
What era does this cover?
This covers Perma Books (Permabooks) (1948-1960s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.