The fastest check: Modern convention: copyright page states 'First U.S. Edition' or 'First Edition' with a descending number line (1 present = first printing).
How to identify a first printing
- Modern convention: copyright page states 'First U.S. Edition' or 'First Edition' with a descending number line (1 present = first printing).
- First lacks later-printing notice.
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, or run any book through the first-edition identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 2005 in Portland, Oregon / Brooklyn (Win McCormack; Rob Spillman, Lee Montgomery) as the book arm of Tin House magazine.
- Poetry and literary fiction; distributed via W.W. Norton — later printings follow standard trade number-line conventions.
- Young press, conventions consistent.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Tin House (magazine, 1999–2019), Tin House New Voices. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Tin House Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern convention: copyright page states 'First U.S. Edition' or 'First Edition' with a descending number line (1 present = first printing). First lacks later-printing notice.
Does Tin House Books use a number line?
First lacks later-printing notice.
Is a book-club edition a Tin House Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 2005 in Portland, Oregon / Brooklyn (Win McCormack; Rob Spillman, Lee Montgomery) as the book arm of Tin House magazine.
What era does this cover?
This covers Tin House Books (2005–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.