How to identify a first printing
- First printings carry a 'First edition' statement with month/year on the copyright page alongside a descending number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') or the alternating '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2' form; in either case the lowest number present (a retained '1') marks the first printing.
- Many Titan releases are film/TV tie-ins or the first UK edition of a US original, so distinguish a 'first Titan edition' from the true first appearance, which is often the original US printing.
- Hard Case Crime titles published under the Titan umbrella from 2011 carry Hard Case Crime branding and a series number (the Titan-era series restarted at HCC-101).
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1981; a large publisher of media tie-ins, art books, and reprints as well as original fiction.
- Hard Case Crime (founded 2004 by Charles Ardai and Max Phillips) moved to Titan in 2011 after Dorchester/Leisure ceased publishing it; earlier Dorchester-era HCC titles carry different indicia.
- A Titan 'first' is frequently the first hardcover or first UK edition rather than the first appearance of the text — set first-in-format expectations accordingly.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Hard Case Crime (distributed/co-published), Titan Comics. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Titan Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printings carry a 'First edition' statement with month/year on the copyright page alongside a descending number line ('10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1') or the alternating '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2' form; in either case the lowest number present (a retained '1') marks the first printing. Many Titan releases are film/TV tie-ins or the first UK edition of a US original, so distinguish a 'first Titan edition' from the true first appearance, which is often the original US printing.
Does Titan Books use a number line?
Many Titan releases are film/TV tie-ins or the first UK edition of a US original, so distinguish a 'first Titan edition' from the true first appearance, which is often the original US printing.
Is a book-club edition a Titan Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1981; a large publisher of media tie-ins, art books, and reprints as well as original fiction.
What era does this cover?
This covers Titan Books (1981–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.