How to identify a first printing
- 1919–1926: no 'first edition' statement on the copyright page; first printings are identified by the absence of a later-printing notice, with subsequent printings noted — typical of small 1920s New York literary houses.
- A title-page date matching the copyright date supports a first printing; confirm priority through binding and dust-jacket state and through bibliographies of the specific author (notably D. H. Lawrence).
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1919 by Thomas Seltzer, a translator and the uncle of Albert and Charles Boni; the chief American champion of D. H. Lawrence.
- Published first US editions of roughly twenty Lawrence titles, including 'Women in Love' and 'Aaron's Rod'.
- Targeted by the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (1922) over 'Women in Love', Schnitzler's 'Casanova's Homecoming', and 'A Young Girl's Diary'; fighting the censorship cases drained the firm financially.
- In 1926 the business was taken over by Seltzer's nephews Albert and Charles Boni, who absorbed its list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Thomas Seltzer, Inc. book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1919–1926: no 'first edition' statement on the copyright page; first printings are identified by the absence of a later-printing notice, with subsequent printings noted — typical of small 1920s New York literary houses. A title-page date matching the copyright date supports a first printing; confirm priority through binding and dust-jacket state and through bibliographies of the specific author (notably D. H. Lawrence).
Does Thomas Seltzer, Inc. use a number line?
A title-page date matching the copyright date supports a first printing; confirm priority through binding and dust-jacket state and through bibliographies of the specific author (notably D. H. Lawrence).
Is a book-club edition a Thomas Seltzer, Inc. first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1919 by Thomas Seltzer, a translator and the uncle of Albert and Charles Boni; the chief American champion of D. H. Lawrence.
What era does this cover?
This covers Thomas Seltzer, Inc. (1919–1926 (absorbed by Albert & Charles Boni)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.