How to identify a first printing
- Because the house overwhelmingly reprints earlier works, the operative point is the first-thus statement: copyright pages read 'First Stark House Press Edition,' 'First Edition,' 'First Thus,' or 'First Ed. Thus' with the month and year.
- The spine tail typically carries the Stark House (or Black Gat) imprint name — a standard reprint-house tell that the volume is a Stark House issue rather than an original-publisher copy.
- Two-novels-in-one trade paperbacks with a new introduction and bibliography are the characteristic Stark House format; the dated 'First Stark House edition' line identifies that specific reissue.
Notable points & cautions
- Reprint specialist founded in 1999 by Greg Shepard in Eureka, CA — most titles are NOT true first editions of the text; collectors value them as the first available/affordable reissue ('first thus'), and occasionally for first-ever-collected or restored content.
- Black Gat Books is the mass-market-sized (about 4.25 by 7 inch) paperback sub-line launched in May 2015 with Harry Whittington's 'A Haven for the Damned'; the Noir Classics / Film Noir series pair a novel with film-related material.
- When two reissues exist, the dated 'First Stark House Press Edition' statement distinguishes the original reissue printing from a later one.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Stark House Press, Black Gat Books, Stark House Film Noir / Noir Classics. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Stark House Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Because the house overwhelmingly reprints earlier works, the operative point is the first-thus statement: copyright pages read 'First Stark House Press Edition,' 'First Edition,' 'First Thus,' or 'First Ed. Thus' with the month and year. The spine tail typically carries the Stark House (or Black Gat) imprint name — a standard reprint-house tell that the volume is a Stark House issue rather than an original-publisher copy.
Does Stark House Press use a number line?
The spine tail typically carries the Stark House (or Black Gat) imprint name — a standard reprint-house tell that the volume is a Stark House issue rather than an original-publisher copy.
Is a book-club edition a Stark House Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Reprint specialist founded in 1999 by Greg Shepard in Eureka, CA — most titles are NOT true first editions of the text; collectors value them as the first available/affordable reissue ('first thus'), and occasionally for first-ever-collected or restored content.
What era does this cover?
This covers Stark House Press (1999–present (Black Gat line from May 2015)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.