How to identify a first printing
- 1908-c.1930: First impressions carry a dated 'First published (year)' statement (or the date on the title page) with no notice of a later printing; reprints add dated 'Reprinted' lines. Absence of any reprint listing indicates a first impression. This follows standard British copyright-page practice of the period rather than a publisher-specific code.
- c.1930-c.1970: 'First published 19xx' on the copyright page; a first impression carries no additional impression statement, while reprints are listed by date.
- c.1970-present (within Macmillan): A descending number line may appear on the copyright page, with the lowest digit present indicating the printing (1 = first), alongside a dated 'First published' line. Confirm against the specific title, as practice varied across the Macmillan-era list.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in London in November 1908 by Frank Sidgwick (1879-1939), a poet and literary editor, and Robert Cameron Jackson (1882-1917), who handled the business side as company secretary.
- Published the Georgian Poetry anthologies (edited by Edward Marsh, 1912-1922) and Rupert Brooke's poetry, including the posthumous 1914 and Other Poems (1915) - key WWI-era poetry firsts.
- Later a general trade, biography and music publisher; acquired by Macmillan from Trusthouse Forte in the mid-1980s and run as a Pan Macmillan imprint until it was dissolved in 2015.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Sidgwick & Jackson, Sidgwick & Jackson (within Macmillan / Pan Macmillan from the mid-1980s). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1908-c.1930: First impressions carry a dated 'First published (year)' statement (or the date on the title page) with no notice of a later printing; reprints add dated 'Reprinted' lines. Absence of any reprint listing indicates a first impression. This follows standard British copyright-page practice of the period rather than a publisher-specific code. c.1930-c.1970: 'First published 19xx' on the copyright page; a first impression carries no additional impression statement, while reprints are listed by date.
Does Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd use a number line?
c.1930-c.1970: 'First published 19xx' on the copyright page; a first impression carries no additional impression statement, while reprints are listed by date.
Is a book-club edition a Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in London in November 1908 by Frank Sidgwick (1879-1939), a poet and literary editor, and Robert Cameron Jackson (1882-1917), who handled the business side as company secretary.
What era does this cover?
This covers Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (1908-2015 (imprint dissolved)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.