How to identify a first printing
- Pre-1930: Scribner seal/device plus month-and-year of publication on copyright page; first printings either carry matching dates on title page and copyright page or show no later printings noted.
- The famous capital 'A' on the copyright page denotes a first printing. Introduced late 1929 and used 1930-1973.
- Classic form 'A-3.64[H]': A = printing (A=1st, B=2nd...), 3.64 = March 1964 date, [H]=hardcover / [P]=paperback. Presence of leading 'A' = true first.
- Later printings drop the 'A' or advance it to B, C, etc.
- After 1973 the letter code was abandoned in favor of a descending number line ending in 1.
Notable points & cautions
- The single 'A' is the single most reliable Scribner point for 1930-1973 and is widely faked/misread — verify it is a standalone 'A' tied to the date code, not a random letter.
- Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea' (1952): first issue has the 'A' on the copyright page plus the Scribner seal; absence of the 'A' = later printing.
- Some pre-1930 firsts have no statement at all — rely on matching title/copyright dates and absence of any 'reprinted' notice.
- Distinct from the modern Scribner imprint (now part of Simon & Schuster) which uses a Random-House-style number line.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Scribner, Scribner Library, Scribner Classics. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Charles Scribner's Sons book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-1930: Scribner seal/device plus month-and-year of publication on copyright page; first printings either carry matching dates on title page and copyright page or show no later printings noted. The famous capital 'A' on the copyright page denotes a first printing. Introduced late 1929 and used 1930-1973.
Does Charles Scribner's Sons use a number line?
The famous capital 'A' on the copyright page denotes a first printing. Introduced late 1929 and used 1930-1973.
Is a book-club edition a Charles Scribner's Sons first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. The single 'A' is the single most reliable Scribner point for 1930-1973 and is widely faked/misread — verify it is a standalone 'A' tied to the date code, not a random letter.
What era does this cover?
This covers Charles Scribner's Sons (1846-1978 (vintage convention 1930-1973)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.