How to identify a first printing
- Modern era (Random House ownership from 2008, a Ten Speed Press / Crown imprint from 2013 within Penguin Random House): first printings follow the Crown convention of a 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1; later printings drop the low digits.
- Independent/older era (founded 1937; under Billboard Publications/VNU before 2008): identification is number-line based when a line is present, with the first printing line ending in 1; some art-instruction titles instead carry only a copyright/printing year, so verify per title.
Notable points & cautions
- Art-instruction, drawing, craft and design how-to publisher founded in 1937 by Ernest W. Watson, Ralph Reinhold and Arthur L. Guptill; relevant to the lifestyle slice for craft and design titles.
- Random House acquired Watson-Guptill in 2008 and made it a Ten Speed Press imprint in 2013; modern titles follow the Crown/PRH convention, so date the rule to ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Watson-Guptill book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern era (Random House ownership from 2008, a Ten Speed Press / Crown imprint from 2013 within Penguin Random House): first printings follow the Crown convention of a 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1; later printings drop the low digits. Independent/older era (founded 1937; under Billboard Publications/VNU before 2008): identification is number-line based when a line is present, with the first printing line ending in 1; some art-instruction titles instead carry only a copyright/printing year, so verify per title.
Does Watson-Guptill use a number line?
Independent/older era (founded 1937; under Billboard Publications/VNU before 2008): identification is number-line based when a line is present, with the first printing line ending in 1; some art-instruction titles instead carry only a copyright/printing year, so verify per title.
Is a book-club edition a Watson-Guptill first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Art-instruction, drawing, craft and design how-to publisher founded in 1937 by Ernest W. Watson, Ralph Reinhold and Arthur L. Guptill; relevant to the lifestyle slice for craft and design titles.
What era does this cover?
This covers Watson-Guptill (1937-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.