How to identify a first printing
- 1969-c.1990 (founder Paul Kurtz, Amherst NY): secular-humanist, skeptic, freethought and philosophy titles; the copyright page states 'First Edition' or the printing year, and early titles often lack a number line. Identify by the copyright year and the absence of a later-printing statement.
- c.1990-2019 (Amherst NY, independent): standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); 'First Edition' is typically stated. The Humanity Books academic imprint and the Pyr science-fiction imprint (launched March 2005, editor Lou Anders) carry the same conventions.
- 2019-present (acquired by Rowman & Littlefield, now published under its Globe Pequot division): Prometheus continues as an imprint using a number line (lowest number present = printing) plus an edition statement, with the new distribution line appearing on the copyright page.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded August 1969 by philosopher Paul Kurtz; the leading US publisher of secular humanism, skepticism, freethought, and accessible philosophy and science.
- Pyr was its science-fiction/fantasy imprint (2005-2018, editor Lou Anders); collectible SF firsts use the same number-line convention. Prometheus sold its fiction imprints (Pyr and Seventh Street Books) in 2018.
- Acquisition tell: independent Amherst NY (pre-2019) versus a Rowman & Littlefield / Globe Pequot imprint line on the copyright page (post-2019).
- Humanity Books is the academic/scholarly imprint.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Prometheus Books, Pyr (science fiction/fantasy, 2005-2018), Humanity Books (academic), Seventh Street Books (mystery/crime). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Prometheus Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1969-c.1990 (founder Paul Kurtz, Amherst NY): secular-humanist, skeptic, freethought and philosophy titles; the copyright page states 'First Edition' or the printing year, and early titles often lack a number line. Identify by the copyright year and the absence of a later-printing statement. c.1990-2019 (Amherst NY, independent): standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); 'First Edition' is typically stated. The Humanity Books academic imprint and the Pyr science-fiction imprint (launched March 2005, editor Lou Anders) carry the same conventions.
Does Prometheus Books use a number line?
c.1990-2019 (Amherst NY, independent): standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); 'First Edition' is typically stated. The Humanity Books academic imprint and the Pyr science-fiction imprint (launched March 2005, editor Lou Anders) carry the same conventions.
Is a book-club edition a Prometheus Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded August 1969 by philosopher Paul Kurtz; the leading US publisher of secular humanism, skepticism, freethought, and accessible philosophy and science.
What era does this cover?
This covers Prometheus Books (1969-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.