How to Identify a Putnam / Philomel / Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin children's, formerly G.P. Putnam's Sons) First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Modern Penguin house style: full descending number line ending in 1; often 'First Impression' / 'First Edition' stated
• Philomel (founded 1980 by Ann Beneduce) follows the same number-line-to-1 rule
• Grosset & Dunlap mass-market series (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys) have their OWN complex format-based points (list-of-titles-on-rear-flap, no number line in early eras) — distinct from trade picture-book ID

Notable points & cautions

• Philomel published Eric Carle's later works and Patricia Polacco; Jan Brett titles at Putnam
• Grosset & Dunlap early series-book firsts are dated by the advertised title list on the dust jacket / rear, NOT a number line — a specialist subfield with frequent reprints
• All consolidated under Penguin Young Readers (Penguin Random House)

Imprints

First editions also appear under: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Philomel Books, Grosset & Dunlap, Nancy Paulsen Books, Price Stern Sloan, Puffin. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Putnam / Philomel / Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin children's, formerly G.P. Putnam's Sons) book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Modern Penguin house style: full descending number line ending in 1; often 'First Impression' / 'First Edition' stated Philomel (founded 1980 by Ann Beneduce) follows the same number-line-to-1 rule

Does Putnam / Philomel / Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin children's, formerly G.P. Putnam's Sons) use a number line?

Philomel (founded 1980 by Ann Beneduce) follows the same number-line-to-1 rule

Is a book-club edition a Putnam / Philomel / Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin children's, formerly G.P. Putnam's Sons) first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Philomel published Eric Carle's later works and Patricia Polacco; Jan Brett titles at Putnam

What era does this cover?

This covers Putnam / Philomel / Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin children's, formerly G.P. Putnam's Sons) (1838–present (Putnam); Philomel 1980–present; Penguin number-line era 1980s–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.