How to identify a first printing
- Early period (c.1908-1910s): early Volland gift books and verse carry no explicit edition statement. Date by the Chicago imprint address and by the absence of later-printing notations.
- Classic illustrated-children era (1918-1930s): boxed editions with a color paste-down image on the front cover, issued in a two-part box or slipcase, typically without dust jackets and with a cloth spine. First printings generally carry no printing statement; later printings are identified by a changed imprint address (Chicago versus Joliet versus New York) and by edition notes when present. The earliest imprint state with the original box is the first issue.
- Raggedy Ann and Andy titles: first printings of 'Raggedy Ann Stories' (1918) and 'Raggedy Andy Stories' (1920) are identified by the Chicago 'P. F. Volland Company' imprint, the original two-part box, color-illustrated cloth-backed boards, and copyright-page state. These were reprinted heavily, and later Volland printings change the address and plates.
- Decline period (later 1920s-1937): the imprint moves to Joliet, Illinois and later New York; a Joliet or New York imprint dates a book to the later period and indicates it is not the earliest Chicago first issue. Volland ceased around 1937, after which the Gruelle titles passed to the Johnny Gruelle Company and M. A. Donohue.
Notable points & cautions
- The original publisher of Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy books.
- Signature format: a color paste-down cover image, boxed (two-part box or slipcase), no dust jacket, and a cloth spine, the same format family Platt & Munk later used.
- The Chicago to Joliet to New York address progression is the chief dating tool, and the original publisher's box is essential to a complete first issue.
- After Volland folded around 1937, the Raggedy Ann line passed to the Johnny Gruelle Company and M. A. Donohue, and later to Bobbs-Merrill.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: P. F. Volland Co., Volland, Sunny Book series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my P. F. Volland Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Early period (c.1908-1910s): early Volland gift books and verse carry no explicit edition statement. Date by the Chicago imprint address and by the absence of later-printing notations. Classic illustrated-children era (1918-1930s): boxed editions with a color paste-down image on the front cover, issued in a two-part box or slipcase, typically without dust jackets and with a cloth spine. First printings generally carry no printing statement; later printings are identified by a changed imprint address (Chicago versus Joliet versus New York) and by edition notes when present. The earliest imprint state with the original box is the first issue.
Does P. F. Volland Company use a number line?
Classic illustrated-children era (1918-1930s): boxed editions with a color paste-down image on the front cover, issued in a two-part box or slipcase, typically without dust jackets and with a cloth spine. First printings generally carry no printing statement; later printings are identified by a changed imprint address (Chicago versus Joliet versus New York) and by edition notes when present. The earliest imprint state with the original box is the first issue.
Is a book-club edition a P. F. Volland Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. The original publisher of Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy books.
What era does this cover?
This covers P. F. Volland Company (1908-c.1937). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.