How to identify a first printing
- First printing: complete number line counting down to 1, following the Hachette Book Group house practice
- A 'First Edition' statement may appear on the copyright page but is not guaranteed; rely on the full number line
Notable points & cautions
- Feminist / women's-interest nonfiction imprint, founded 1976 as an independent letterpress in Seattle; one of the enduring presses of the 1970s women's press movement
- Sold to Avalon Publishing Group (2001), then entered Hachette via the April 2016 Perseus acquisition; now a member of the Basic Books Group, operating from New York/Berkeley
- Pre-2016 titles are independent/Avalon/Perseus imprints, not Hachette
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Seal Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Seal Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing: complete number line counting down to 1, following the Hachette Book Group house practice A 'First Edition' statement may appear on the copyright page but is not guaranteed; rely on the full number line
Does Seal Press use a number line?
A 'First Edition' statement may appear on the copyright page but is not guaranteed; rely on the full number line
Is a book-club edition a Seal Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Feminist / women's-interest nonfiction imprint, founded 1976 as an independent letterpress in Seattle; one of the enduring presses of the 1970s women's press movement
What era does this cover?
This covers Seal Press (1976–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.