How to identify a first printing
- Classic convention (mid-20th c. onward): the words 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page; on a TRUE first that statement appears WITH the number line — and when a later printing occurs, Random House REMOVES the words 'First Edition' (the line alone remains).
- Number line: descending, first printing retains '1'. Random House's well-known rule is that 'First Edition' + a complete number line ending in 2 can occur on later states, so the safest test is 'First Edition' present AND lowest number 1.
- Pre-number-line era: 'First Edition' / 'First Printing' statement, or absence of later-printing notation.
- Borzoi/RH device and pricing on jacket flap; BCEs lack price and have rear-board blind stamp.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1927 by Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer (out of the Modern Library reprint business).
- Key Random House point of issue: on later printings the firm DROPS 'First Edition' from the copyright page — so seeing 'First Edition' is meaningful, but always confirm the 1 is present in the line.
- Now the namesake of Penguin Random House; the modern 'First Edition' + line-to-1 convention is the family standard many sibling imprints follow.
- Modern Library is a REPRINT/classics line — not a source of true firsts.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Modern Library, Ballantine (group), Del Rey, Spiegel & Grau (former), One World, Random House Trade Paperbacks, Bennett Cerf legacy. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Random House (trade imprint) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Classic convention (mid-20th c. onward): the words 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page; on a TRUE first that statement appears WITH the number line — and when a later printing occurs, Random House REMOVES the words 'First Edition' (the line alone remains). Number line: descending, first printing retains '1'. Random House's well-known rule is that 'First Edition' + a complete number line ending in 2 can occur on later states, so the safest test is 'First Edition' present AND lowest number 1.
Does Random House (trade imprint) use a number line?
Number line: descending, first printing retains '1'. Random House's well-known rule is that 'First Edition' + a complete number line ending in 2 can occur on later states, so the safest test is 'First Edition' present AND lowest number 1.
Is a book-club edition a Random House (trade imprint) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1927 by Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer (out of the Modern Library reprint business).
What era does this cover?
This covers Random House (trade imprint) (1927–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.