How to identify a first printing
- Random House / Penguin Random House house style: true first printing carries a "First Edition" statement and/or a full number line whose lowest digit is 1.
- First printing has no later-printing notice; the lowest number in the number line is the decisive tell.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded by Salman Schocken in Germany in 1931; began US publishing in 1945. Judaica and Jewish-interest house.
- Acquired by Random House in 1987; now an imprint within the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group under Penguin Random House, so conventions follow standard Random House / PRH house style.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Schocken. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Schocken Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Random House / Penguin Random House house style: true first printing carries a "First Edition" statement and/or a full number line whose lowest digit is 1. First printing has no later-printing notice; the lowest number in the number line is the decisive tell.
Does Schocken Books use a number line?
First printing has no later-printing notice; the lowest number in the number line is the decisive tell.
Is a book-club edition a Schocken Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded by Salman Schocken in Germany in 1931; began US publishing in 1945. Judaica and Jewish-interest house.
What era does this cover?
This covers Schocken Books (1945–present (US)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.