How to identify a first printing
- 1975-c.1990: Magazine-derived how-to publisher (Fine Woodworking launched December 1975). Early book first printings are identified by the earliest copyright year; many compilation or 'Best of Fine Woodworking' volumes circulate, so confirm there is no later-printing notation. Number lines are not consistently present on the earliest titles.
- c.1990-present: First printing is identified by a descending number line, commonly '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', with the lowest digit giving the printing. Taunton also frequently prints an explicit 'First printing: [year]' statement on the copyright page, which is a reliable tell when present. Titles are practical craft, woodworking, sewing, gardening and cooking books tied to its magazines (Threads, Fine Gardening, Fine Cooking).
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1975 by Paul and Jan Roman around the magazine Fine Woodworking; later expanded to Fine Homebuilding, Fine Gardening, Threads (sewing) and Fine Cooking.
- A leading craft/woodworking/home-skills publisher; books often grow out of magazine content.
- Where present, an explicit 'First printing: [year]' statement makes first-state identification unusually clean for this house; otherwise rely on the number line to 1.
- Privately held and family-owned; sold its magazine titles to Active Interest Media in the 2010s while continuing as a book publisher.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Taunton Press, Taunton (Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, Fine Gardening, Threads, Fine Cooking books). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my The Taunton Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1975-c.1990: Magazine-derived how-to publisher (Fine Woodworking launched December 1975). Early book first printings are identified by the earliest copyright year; many compilation or 'Best of Fine Woodworking' volumes circulate, so confirm there is no later-printing notation. Number lines are not consistently present on the earliest titles. c.1990-present: First printing is identified by a descending number line, commonly '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', with the lowest digit giving the printing. Taunton also frequently prints an explicit 'First printing: [year]' statement on the copyright page, which is a reliable tell when present. Titles are practical craft, woodworking, sewing, gardening and cooking books tied to its magazines (Threads, Fine Gardening, Fine Cooking).
Does The Taunton Press use a number line?
c.1990-present: First printing is identified by a descending number line, commonly '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1', with the lowest digit giving the printing. Taunton also frequently prints an explicit 'First printing: [year]' statement on the copyright page, which is a reliable tell when present. Titles are practical craft, woodworking, sewing, gardening and cooking books tied to its magazines (Threads, Fine Gardening, Fine Cooking).
Is a book-club edition a The Taunton Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1975 by Paul and Jan Roman around the magazine Fine Woodworking; later expanded to Fine Homebuilding, Fine Gardening, Threads (sewing) and Fine Cooking.
What era does this cover?
This covers The Taunton Press (1975-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.