How to identify a first printing
- c.1938–c.1980 (Focal Press independent / film-technical era): Focal Press, founded in London in 1938 by Andor Kraszna-Krausz, published film, photography, and broadcast technical books. A first edition is stated as 'First published YYYY' or 'First edition YYYY' on the verso, with reprints noted as 'Reprinted YYYY'. Generally no number line in this period.
- c.1980–present (number-line era): Routledge and Focal Press use a descending number line on the copyright page, the lowest digit being the printing; a line that includes 1 is a first printing, accompanied by a 'First published YYYY by Routledge / Focal Press' statement.
- Ownership for dating copies: Focal Press was owned by Elsevier from 1983, and was acquired from Elsevier by Taylor & Francis in 2012. Routledge had separately become part of Taylor & Francis in 1998. From 2012 onward, Focal Press and the Routledge performance and theatre lists sit together under Taylor & Francis, and copyright pages carry the Taylor & Francis group credit. First printing remains a number line reaching 1 plus a 'First published' statement.
Notable points & cautions
- Major film, TV, and theatre academic and technical list (Focal Press for production craft; Routledge for performance studies).
- Absorbed older theatre lists such as Theatre Arts Books.
- Standard descending number line, lowest digit equals the printing, from roughly 1980 onward.
- Focal Press was an Elsevier imprint (from 1983) before Taylor & Francis acquired it in 2012; Routledge joined Taylor & Francis earlier, in 1998.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Routledge, Focal Press (film/media production), Theatre Arts Books (acquired list). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Routledge / Focal Press (Film, TV & Performance) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. c.1938–c.1980 (Focal Press independent / film-technical era): Focal Press, founded in London in 1938 by Andor Kraszna-Krausz, published film, photography, and broadcast technical books. A first edition is stated as 'First published YYYY' or 'First edition YYYY' on the verso, with reprints noted as 'Reprinted YYYY'. Generally no number line in this period. c.1980–present (number-line era): Routledge and Focal Press use a descending number line on the copyright page, the lowest digit being the printing; a line that includes 1 is a first printing, accompanied by a 'First published YYYY by Routledge / Focal Press' statement.
Does Routledge / Focal Press (Film, TV & Performance) use a number line?
c.1980–present (number-line era): Routledge and Focal Press use a descending number line on the copyright page, the lowest digit being the printing; a line that includes 1 is a first printing, accompanied by a 'First published YYYY by Routledge / Focal Press' statement.
Is a book-club edition a Routledge / Focal Press (Film, TV & Performance) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Major film, TV, and theatre academic and technical list (Focal Press for production craft; Routledge for performance studies).
What era does this cover?
This covers Routledge / Focal Press (Film, TV & Performance) (1938–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.