How to Identify a Steidl First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• The colophon (usually at the rear of the book, Steidl's signature placement) is the key page: a true first carries 'First edition' or 'First printing' (often in English and German) with the year and no reprint line.
• Reprints are explicitly stated: 'Second printing 20xx', 'Reprinted 20xx', or a revised colophon. Steidl reprints successful titles freely, so checking for these lines is essential.
• There is no conventional descending number line on most Steidl trade photobooks; rely on the printed edition statement and year, not a printer's key.
• Limited/special editions carry a numbered limitation in the colophon, often with a signed tipped-in print or special binding/box.

Notable points & cautions

• Founded 1968 by Gerhard Steidl in Göttingen (initially a screen-printing/graphic-art workshop); the internationally oriented photobook program began in the mid-1990s (commonly dated 1994 or 1996).
• Because Steidl reprints liberally and the design is often unchanged between printings, the colophon edition-line and any printer/date change are the only reliable tells; a second printing can look identical to a first.
• SteidlMACK was the imprint created (c.2004) for Michael Mack's list within Steidl; Mack left in 2010 to found MACK, and titles were later reissued under MACK alone, so the imprint name dates the issue.
• Co-published museum catalogs may show both Steidl and the institution; the institutional co-edition can be a distinct issue.
• Steidl colophons frequently credit the specific paper, ink, and printing supervised by Gerhard Steidl; a change in those credits can flag a later printing.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Steidl, Steidl Dangin, SteidlMACK (imprint c.2004–2010, while Michael Mack was at Steidl; Mack left to found MACK in 2010), Edition 7L / Steidl (Karl Lagerfeld imprint), Steidl co-editions with museums and galleries. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Steidl book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. The colophon (usually at the rear of the book, Steidl's signature placement) is the key page: a true first carries 'First edition' or 'First printing' (often in English and German) with the year and no reprint line. Reprints are explicitly stated: 'Second printing 20xx', 'Reprinted 20xx', or a revised colophon. Steidl reprints successful titles freely, so checking for these lines is essential.

Does Steidl use a number line?

Reprints are explicitly stated: 'Second printing 20xx', 'Reprinted 20xx', or a revised colophon. Steidl reprints successful titles freely, so checking for these lines is essential.

Is a book-club edition a Steidl first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1968 by Gerhard Steidl in Göttingen (initially a screen-printing/graphic-art workshop); the internationally oriented photobook program began in the mid-1990s (commonly dated 1994 or 1996).

What era does this cover?

This covers Steidl (1968–present (international photobook program from 1994/1996)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.