How to identify a first printing
- The primary tell of a first printing is a colophon in a circle on the copyright page: 'FR' in a circle for Farrar & Rinehart (1929-1946) and 'R' in a circle for Rinehart & Co. (1946-1960). The colophon was simply REMOVED on later printings.
- Subsequent printings are identified by the ABSENCE of the colophon, not by any added printing statement. Per ILAB and Quill & Brush, subsequent printings were NOT otherwise noted on the copyright page.
- A secondary (less consistently documented) practice on some Rinehart titles is the year of publication beneath the publisher's name at the foot of the title page, or a 'This book, first published 19.., is printed...' line on the copyright page; treat this as supplementary corroboration, not the definitive test.
Notable points & cautions
- Lineage: Farrar & Rinehart (1929-1946) -> Rinehart & Co. (1946-1960) -> merged into Holt, Rinehart & Winston (1960). The circled colophon differs accordingly: FR vs. R.
- The cleanest tell is the PRESENCE of the circled colophon (FR or R) on the copyright page, not a 'first published 19..' sentence. A copy lacking the colophon is a later printing.
- There is generally NO later-printing notice; do not rely on the presence of a printing statement to disqualify a first. Absence of the colophon is the disqualifier.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Rinehart, Farrar & Rinehart (1929-1946), Holt, Rinehart & Winston (1960+). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Rinehart & Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. The primary tell of a first printing is a colophon in a circle on the copyright page: 'FR' in a circle for Farrar & Rinehart (1929-1946) and 'R' in a circle for Rinehart & Co. (1946-1960). The colophon was simply REMOVED on later printings. Subsequent printings are identified by the ABSENCE of the colophon, not by any added printing statement. Per ILAB and Quill & Brush, subsequent printings were NOT otherwise noted on the copyright page.
Does Rinehart & Company use a number line?
Subsequent printings are identified by the ABSENCE of the colophon, not by any added printing statement. Per ILAB and Quill & Brush, subsequent printings were NOT otherwise noted on the copyright page.
Is a book-club edition a Rinehart & Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Lineage: Farrar & Rinehart (1929-1946) -> Rinehart & Co. (1946-1960) -> merged into Holt, Rinehart & Winston (1960). The circled colophon differs accordingly: FR vs. R.
What era does this cover?
This covers Rinehart & Company (1929-1960). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.