How to identify a first printing
- 1904–1919 (Reilly & Britton): publisher of L. Frank Baum's Oz sequels. First printings carry no 'first edition' statement; identification is by points — title-page and copyright-page states, the color-plate count, the rear advertised-Oz-title list (a list ending with the latest title dates the printing), and binding cloth. The spine imprint reads 'Reilly & Britton' on genuine pre-1919 firsts.
- 1919–c.1960s (Reilly & Lee, renamed 1919): continued the Oz series and other children's titles, still with point-based first-printing identification (no number line). The spine imprint reads 'Reilly & Lee' from The Magic of Oz (1919) onward; a pre-1919 copyright date under a Reilly & Lee spine imprint signals a later printing.
- General rule: Reilly & Britton / Reilly & Lee first printings are surmised from the spine imprint, advertised-title list, plate state, and binding — never from an explicit edition statement. Standard Oz bibliographies give book-by-book points.
Notable points & cautions
- Chicago house famous as publisher of the Oz books after the first (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900, was George M. Hill); Reilly & Britton / Reilly & Lee issued the sequels from The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904).
- Reilly & Britton (1904) became Reilly & Lee (1919); the spine imprint is the first thing to check, since pre-1919 titles under a Reilly & Lee spine are reprints.
- Color-plate count and the rear advertised-Oz-title list are the principal dating tells, alongside binding state.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Reilly & Britton (1904–1919), Reilly & Lee (1919–1960s). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Reilly & Lee (Reilly & Britton) — Oz / children's book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1904–1919 (Reilly & Britton): publisher of L. Frank Baum's Oz sequels. First printings carry no 'first edition' statement; identification is by points — title-page and copyright-page states, the color-plate count, the rear advertised-Oz-title list (a list ending with the latest title dates the printing), and binding cloth. The spine imprint reads 'Reilly & Britton' on genuine pre-1919 firsts. 1919–c.1960s (Reilly & Lee, renamed 1919): continued the Oz series and other children's titles, still with point-based first-printing identification (no number line). The spine imprint reads 'Reilly & Lee' from The Magic of Oz (1919) onward; a pre-1919 copyright date under a Reilly & Lee spine imprint signals a later printing.
Does Reilly & Lee (Reilly & Britton) — Oz / children's use a number line?
1919–c.1960s (Reilly & Lee, renamed 1919): continued the Oz series and other children's titles, still with point-based first-printing identification (no number line). The spine imprint reads 'Reilly & Lee' from The Magic of Oz (1919) onward; a pre-1919 copyright date under a Reilly & Lee spine imprint signals a later printing.
Is a book-club edition a Reilly & Lee (Reilly & Britton) — Oz / children's first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Chicago house famous as publisher of the Oz books after the first (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900, was George M. Hill); Reilly & Britton / Reilly & Lee issued the sequels from The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904).
What era does this cover?
This covers Reilly & Lee (Reilly & Britton) — Oz / children's (1904–c.1960s). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.