How to identify a first printing
- 1959-1969 (independent, Chicago): a first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing statement on the copyright page; some titles also carry a number line, in which case the lowest digit (1) present indicates a first printing.
- 1969 onward (under The New York Times Company): titles appear as 'Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co.'; the copyright page typically uses a number line, and the lowest digit (1) present indicates a first printing.
- From 1977 the line was renamed Times Books; titles issued under the Times Books name should be judged by Times Books conventions, not Quadrangle.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1959 in Chicago; the company published serious non-fiction and reference titles. Michael Braude was the founder, chairman and principal stockholder, and Melvin J. Brisk served as president.
- Sold to The New York Times Company in 1969 and renamed Times Books in 1977; the Times Books imprint was later licensed to Random House in 1984.
- The imprint wording on the title/copyright page is a quick era marker: bare 'Quadrangle Books' indicates a pre-1969 issue, while 'Quadrangle/The New York Times' indicates 1969 or later.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Quadrangle Books, Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co. (post-1969), Quadrangle Paperbacks. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Quadrangle Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1959-1969 (independent, Chicago): a first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing statement on the copyright page; some titles also carry a number line, in which case the lowest digit (1) present indicates a first printing. 1969 onward (under The New York Times Company): titles appear as 'Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co.'; the copyright page typically uses a number line, and the lowest digit (1) present indicates a first printing.
Does Quadrangle Books use a number line?
1969 onward (under The New York Times Company): titles appear as 'Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co.'; the copyright page typically uses a number line, and the lowest digit (1) present indicates a first printing.
Is a book-club edition a Quadrangle Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1959 in Chicago; the company published serious non-fiction and reference titles. Michael Braude was the founder, chairman and principal stockholder, and Melvin J. Brisk served as president.
What era does this cover?
This covers Quadrangle Books (1959-1977). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.