How to identify a first printing
- First and only edition is established by the COLOPHON. From 1948 Giovanni Mardersteig ran a mechanized (machine) press he named the Stamperia Valdonega, alongside the hand-press Officina Bodoni, to produce larger editions more quickly while keeping the same typographic standards. Because Valdonega books are machine-printed rather than hand-pressed, the colophon naming Stamperia Valdonega is the key tell that distinguishes them from Officina Bodoni hand-press work.
- Identify by the Valdonega imprint or colophon and the Mardersteig-associated types (including Dante). The firm often printed for outside publishers, so the Valdonega name commonly appears as printer in the colophon. After Giovanni Mardersteig's death in 1977 his son Martino Mardersteig ran the press, occasionally still using the Officina Bodoni imprint for genuine hand-press work.
Notable points & cautions
- Critical pairing with the Officina Bodoni: Valdonega is the machine press, Officina Bodoni is the hand press; collectors must not conflate the two.
- Continued the Mardersteig typographic standard into the present under Martino Mardersteig.
- Frequently printed for outside publishers, with the Valdonega name appearing as printer in the colophon.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Officina Bodoni (sister hand-press). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Stamperia Valdonega book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First and only edition is established by the COLOPHON. From 1948 Giovanni Mardersteig ran a mechanized (machine) press he named the Stamperia Valdonega, alongside the hand-press Officina Bodoni, to produce larger editions more quickly while keeping the same typographic standards. Because Valdonega books are machine-printed rather than hand-pressed, the colophon naming Stamperia Valdonega is the key tell that distinguishes them from Officina Bodoni hand-press work. Identify by the Valdonega imprint or colophon and the Mardersteig-associated types (including Dante). The firm often printed for outside publishers, so the Valdonega name commonly appears as printer in the colophon. After Giovanni Mardersteig's death in 1977 his son Martino Mardersteig ran the press, occasionally still using the Officina Bodoni imprint for genuine hand-press work.
Does Stamperia Valdonega use a number line?
Identify by the Valdonega imprint or colophon and the Mardersteig-associated types (including Dante). The firm often printed for outside publishers, so the Valdonega name commonly appears as printer in the colophon. After Giovanni Mardersteig's death in 1977 his son Martino Mardersteig ran the press, occasionally still using the Officina Bodoni imprint for genuine hand-press work.
Is a book-club edition a Stamperia Valdonega first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Critical pairing with the Officina Bodoni: Valdonega is the machine press, Officina Bodoni is the hand press; collectors must not conflate the two.
What era does this cover?
This covers Stamperia Valdonega (1948-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.