How to identify a first printing
- On books from 1988 onward, a first printing is identified by the words 'First Edition' on the copyright page, typically paired with a descending number line whose lowest digit is 1.
- On books through 1987, the copyright page of a first printing reads either 'First Printing' or 'First Edition', or simply carries no later-printing notice at all; absence of any added printing statement on a pre-1988 copy indicates the first.
- On the number line, the lowest digit present equals the printing, so a line ending in 1 confirms a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Leading Western publisher of Buddhism, Taoism, mindfulness, and contemplative and yoga titles; the 1987/1988 shift in stated-printing practice is the key era caveat collectors must apply (this convention is documented in Biblio's by-publisher first-edition guide).
- Snow Lion (Tibetan Buddhism, originally of Ithaca, New York) was an independent press acquired by Shambhala in May 2012; pre-2012 Snow Lion titles follow their own independent copyright-page conventions, not Shambhala's.
- Roost Books (cooking, parenting, home), Trumpeter, and the Shambhala Pocket series are in-house imprints following the post-1987 'First Edition' convention.
- Chogyam Trungpa first editions such as 'Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism' (1973) are sought after and should be verified with the pre-1988 stated-printing rules.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Shambhala, Snow Lion, Roost Books, Trumpeter Books, Shambhala Pocket Library / Pocket Classics, New Science Library (historical). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Shambhala Publications book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. On books from 1988 onward, a first printing is identified by the words 'First Edition' on the copyright page, typically paired with a descending number line whose lowest digit is 1. On books through 1987, the copyright page of a first printing reads either 'First Printing' or 'First Edition', or simply carries no later-printing notice at all; absence of any added printing statement on a pre-1988 copy indicates the first.
Does Shambhala Publications use a number line?
On books through 1987, the copyright page of a first printing reads either 'First Printing' or 'First Edition', or simply carries no later-printing notice at all; absence of any added printing statement on a pre-1988 copy indicates the first.
Is a book-club edition a Shambhala Publications first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Leading Western publisher of Buddhism, Taoism, mindfulness, and contemplative and yoga titles; the 1987/1988 shift in stated-printing practice is the key era caveat collectors must apply (this convention is documented in Biblio's by-publisher first-edition guide).
What era does this cover?
This covers Shambhala Publications (1969-present (stated-printing practice changes at 1987/1988)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.