How to identify a first printing
- Small literary-press convention: first printings typically show only the publication-year copyright with no later-printing statement; many modern titles state 'first edition' and/or carry a number line with '1' present.
- Early Talonbooks (late 1960s-1970s, poetry-magazine origins) frequently lack number lines; rely on the absence of any reprint note and the original copyright year.
- Talonbooks is Canada's leading drama publisher and reprints successful playscripts; always verify the printing statement because reprints of popular plays are common.
Notable points & cautions
- Grew out of the Vancouver poetry magazine 'Talon' (founded 1963 at Magee High School, later UBC); began book publishing in 1967, initially co-publishing poetry with the small press 'very stone house' before issuing books under the Talonbooks imprint alone from 1968. Major publisher of Canadian drama (George Ryga, Michel Tremblay in translation, George F. Walker) and West Coast poetry.
- Tremblay translations and frequently-staged plays are heavily reprinted; the named-author first printing is the collecting point, not later reprints.
- Name styling shifted from 'Talon Books' to 'Talonbooks', which can serve as a rough dating tell.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Talonbooks, Talon Books (early styling), very stone house (predecessor co-publisher, 1967-1968). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Talonbooks book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Small literary-press convention: first printings typically show only the publication-year copyright with no later-printing statement; many modern titles state 'first edition' and/or carry a number line with '1' present. Early Talonbooks (late 1960s-1970s, poetry-magazine origins) frequently lack number lines; rely on the absence of any reprint note and the original copyright year.
Does Talonbooks use a number line?
Early Talonbooks (late 1960s-1970s, poetry-magazine origins) frequently lack number lines; rely on the absence of any reprint note and the original copyright year.
Is a book-club edition a Talonbooks first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Grew out of the Vancouver poetry magazine 'Talon' (founded 1963 at Magee High School, later UBC); began book publishing in 1967, initially co-publishing poetry with the small press 'very stone house' before issuing books under the Talonbooks imprint alone from 1968. Major publisher of Canadian drama (George Ryga, Michel Tremblay in translation, George F. Walker) and West Coast poetry.
What era does this cover?
This covers Talonbooks (1967-present (book publishing; magazine origins 1963)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.