The fastest check: First state identified by single print run and absence of later-printing notation; some titles issued in a signed/numbered limited state with a limitation statement
How to identify a first printing
- First state identified by single print run and absence of later-printing notation; some titles issued in a signed/numbered limited state with a limitation statement
- Match original dust jacket and confirm title-page/copyright date agreement
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, or run any book through the first-edition identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Philadelphia fan-founded specialty house (late 1940s–early 1950s) contemporaneous with Fantasy Press, Gnome, and Shasta
- Small print runs make condition and jacket presence decisive; signed limiteds exist for some titles
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Prime Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Prime Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First state identified by single print run and absence of later-printing notation; some titles issued in a signed/numbered limited state with a limitation statement Match original dust jacket and confirm title-page/copyright date agreement
Does Prime Press use a number line?
Match original dust jacket and confirm title-page/copyright date agreement
Is a book-club edition a Prime Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Philadelphia fan-founded specialty house (late 1940s–early 1950s) contemporaneous with Fantasy Press, Gnome, and Shasta
What era does this cover?
This covers Prime Press (1947–c.1953). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.