How to identify a first printing
- 1987-present: The University of Alaska's scholarly and regional press (Fairbanks). First printings of scholarly titles typically carry no number line; identify a first by a copyright year matching the publication year and the absence of any later-printing or revised-edition statement. As with most university presses, many titles see only a single printing.
- Trade and general-audience titles, including the Snowy Owl Books imprint, may carry a descending number line on the copyright page (lowest digit indicates the printing) and an explicit 'First printing' statement; treat the lowest number present as the printing indicator.
- Distribution tell: since 2021 the press's list has been distributed through the University Press of Colorado consortium, so a distribution notice naming University Press of Colorado on the copyright page postdates the original 1987-2020 imprint state and points to a 2021-or-later printing or distribution.
Notable points & cautions
- Established 1987 as the University of Alaska's scholarly press, focused on Alaska, the Arctic, Indigenous languages, and circumpolar regions.
- Snowy Owl Books is its general-audience imprint (children's books, guidebooks, fiction, poetry) on Alaska and the North.
- Small print runs and remote subject matter make many titles scarce regardless of printing.
- Joined the University Press of Colorado distribution consortium in 2021; a separately named Snowy Owl Books listing also appears under that consortium, so confirm the Alaska imprint when disambiguating.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: University of Alaska Press, Snowy Owl Books, Classic Reprint Series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my University of Alaska Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1987-present: The University of Alaska's scholarly and regional press (Fairbanks). First printings of scholarly titles typically carry no number line; identify a first by a copyright year matching the publication year and the absence of any later-printing or revised-edition statement. As with most university presses, many titles see only a single printing. Trade and general-audience titles, including the Snowy Owl Books imprint, may carry a descending number line on the copyright page (lowest digit indicates the printing) and an explicit 'First printing' statement; treat the lowest number present as the printing indicator.
Does University of Alaska Press use a number line?
Trade and general-audience titles, including the Snowy Owl Books imprint, may carry a descending number line on the copyright page (lowest digit indicates the printing) and an explicit 'First printing' statement; treat the lowest number present as the printing indicator.
Is a book-club edition a University of Alaska Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Established 1987 as the University of Alaska's scholarly press, focused on Alaska, the Arctic, Indigenous languages, and circumpolar regions.
What era does this cover?
This covers University of Alaska Press (1987-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.