How to identify a first printing
- Elf Books (c.1947–1986): these low-priced books (a Little Golden Books competitor) do not carry a reliable explicit first-printing statement. Date a copy by examining the title and copyright page together with the catalog/title number, the cover price, and the back-cover title-list state; the earliest printing shows the earliest title list and the original (lowest) cover price. The earliest issues used 3-digit title numbers, many later reissued under a 4-digit numbering plan, and Checkerboard Press later renumbered the line.
- Caution: the back-page printing-letter code (A = first, etc.) is a Little Golden Books convention and should not be assumed for Rand McNally Elf Books, which are dated chiefly by title number, price, and title-list state rather than a per-title printing code.
- General Rand McNally trade children's titles, mid-20th century: first printings are indicated by the copyright-page state and the absence of later-printing notes; some later titles add a printing line where the lowest digit indicates the printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Best known for maps and atlases, but a significant low-price children's publisher via the Elf Books series (Junior Elf, Tip-Top Elf, Start-Right Elf), issued c.1947–1986 before the line passed to Macmillan.
- Elf Books competed directly with Little Golden Books; identify the printing by the catalog/title number, cover price, and back-cover title-list state, examined on the title/copyright page.
- Cover-price escalation and the evolving title-number scheme (3-digit early, later 4-digit; Checkerboard Press renumbering) are useful dating proxies.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Rand McNally, Junior Elf Books, Elf Books, Start-Right Elf Books, Tip-Top Elf Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Rand McNally (children's / Elf Books) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Elf Books (c.1947–1986): these low-priced books (a Little Golden Books competitor) do not carry a reliable explicit first-printing statement. Date a copy by examining the title and copyright page together with the catalog/title number, the cover price, and the back-cover title-list state; the earliest printing shows the earliest title list and the original (lowest) cover price. The earliest issues used 3-digit title numbers, many later reissued under a 4-digit numbering plan, and Checkerboard Press later renumbered the line. Caution: the back-page printing-letter code (A = first, etc.) is a Little Golden Books convention and should not be assumed for Rand McNally Elf Books, which are dated chiefly by title number, price, and title-list state rather than a per-title printing code.
Does Rand McNally (children's / Elf Books) use a number line?
Caution: the back-page printing-letter code (A = first, etc.) is a Little Golden Books convention and should not be assumed for Rand McNally Elf Books, which are dated chiefly by title number, price, and title-list state rather than a per-title printing code.
Is a book-club edition a Rand McNally (children's / Elf Books) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Best known for maps and atlases, but a significant low-price children's publisher via the Elf Books series (Junior Elf, Tip-Top Elf, Start-Right Elf), issued c.1947–1986 before the line passed to Macmillan.
What era does this cover?
This covers Rand McNally (children's / Elf Books) (Elf Books c.1947–1986 (firm founded 1856)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.