The fastest check: Modern: full descending number line, '1' present = first printing
How to identify a first printing
- Modern: full descending number line, '1' present = first printing
- First printing copyright page free of later-printing history
- Later printings add impression statements
Decode the printer's key: paste the number line into the number-line decoder, search any title in the First Edition Checker, or run a book through the identifier.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1936; strong LGBTQ studies, Southeast Asian studies, and regional Wisconsin lists
- Terrace Books is the trade imprint named for the Memorial Union Terrace; the Bowling Green State University Popular Press (popular-culture studies, founded 1967) was acquired by UW Press in 2002
- Standard academic caveat: older titles may lack an explicit first-printing statement, so rely on absence of reprint notices
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Terrace Books (regional trade imprint), Popular Press (acquired from Bowling Green). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my University of Wisconsin Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern: full descending number line, '1' present = first printing First printing copyright page free of later-printing history
Does University of Wisconsin Press use a number line?
First printing copyright page free of later-printing history
Is a book-club edition a University of Wisconsin Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1936; strong LGBTQ studies, Southeast Asian studies, and regional Wisconsin lists
What era does this cover?
This covers University of Wisconsin Press (1936-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.