How to identify a first printing
- Pre-1940s: firsts either carried NO statement or occasionally "First published [Year]" with no additional printings listed
- 1940s onward: consistently state "First published [Year]" on the copyright page of firsts with NO additional impressions listed (later printings add lines)
- First printing = statement present AND clean copyright page with no reprint notations
- Modern era: number line under Random House lineage
Notable points & cautions
- George Orwell's UK publisher from 'Animal Farm' (1945) and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (1949) — both have well-documented dust-jacket points (1984: red vs green jacket variants, both issued)
- Also Thomas Mann (English translations), Angus Wilson, Melvyn Bragg
- Martin Secker (pre-merger) and Secker & Warburg should not be conflated
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Martin Secker (predecessor, to 1935), Secker & Warburg, Warburg Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Secker & Warburg (Martin Secker & Warburg) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-1940s: firsts either carried NO statement or occasionally "First published [Year]" with no additional printings listed 1940s onward: consistently state "First published [Year]" on the copyright page of firsts with NO additional impressions listed (later printings add lines)
Does Secker & Warburg (Martin Secker & Warburg) use a number line?
1940s onward: consistently state "First published [Year]" on the copyright page of firsts with NO additional impressions listed (later printings add lines)
Is a book-club edition a Secker & Warburg (Martin Secker & Warburg) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. George Orwell's UK publisher from 'Animal Farm' (1945) and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (1949) — both have well-documented dust-jacket points (1984: red vs green jacket variants, both issued)
What era does this cover?
This covers Secker & Warburg (Martin Secker & Warburg) (1910 (Martin Secker) / 1936-present (Secker & Warburg)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.