The fastest check: Modern: full descending number line; '1' present indicates a first printing
How to identify a first printing
- Modern: full descending number line; '1' present indicates a first printing
- First printing: clean copyright page with no reprint lines
- Later printings add impression statements
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1936; strong film/media studies, sociology, and public-health lists
- Rivergate Books is the regional New Jersey and mid-Atlantic imprint, launched in 2004
- As with most university presses, older titles may lack explicit first-printing wording; judge by the absence of reprint notices
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Rivergate Books (regional New Jersey imprint, launched 2004). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Rutgers University Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern: full descending number line; '1' present indicates a first printing First printing: clean copyright page with no reprint lines
Does Rutgers University Press use a number line?
First printing: clean copyright page with no reprint lines
Is a book-club edition a Rutgers University Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1936; strong film/media studies, sociology, and public-health lists
What era does this cover?
This covers Rutgers University Press (1936-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.