How to Identify a Rizzoli International Publications First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Copyright page: a true first carries a 'First published in [year]' statement together with a descending number line whose lowest number is 1 (for example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).
• Number-line behavior follows US trade convention: the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a line beginning at 2 is a second printing.
• Where no number line is present (older titles or some Italian co-editions), rely on the 'First published' / 'Prima edizione' year and the absence of any reprint or 'new edition' statement.
• Co-editions with European/Italian houses (Electa, Mondadori) may carry a different colophon; match the Rizzoli US issue's first-published year.

Notable points & cautions

• Rizzoli's US art/architecture/fashion list generally uses the number-line convention, unlike many European art houses, so for Rizzoli the printer's key is reliable.
• Universe Publishing is a Rizzoli imprint (often smaller-format and illustrated); Skira Rizzoli was a joint imprint (roughly 2010-2015) now ended, so the imprint name helps date the issue.
• Italian-parent co-editions can predate or coincide with the US edition, so the 'first American edition' may differ from the true first Italian edition of the same title.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Rizzoli, Rizzoli New York, Rizzoli Electa, Universe Publishing, Universe / Rizzoli, Mondadori Electa (Italian parent co-editions), Skira Rizzoli (former JV). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Rizzoli International Publications book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Copyright page: a true first carries a 'First published in [year]' statement together with a descending number line whose lowest number is 1 (for example 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). Number-line behavior follows US trade convention: the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a line beginning at 2 is a second printing.

Does Rizzoli International Publications use a number line?

Number-line behavior follows US trade convention: the lowest digit present indicates the printing, so a line beginning at 2 is a second printing.

Is a book-club edition a Rizzoli International Publications first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Rizzoli's US art/architecture/fashion list generally uses the number-line convention, unlike many European art houses, so for Rizzoli the printer's key is reliable.

What era does this cover?

This covers Rizzoli International Publications (1974-present (US publishing arm)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.