How to identify a first printing
- Nonprofit interpretive publisher partnered with the National Park Service since 1938. The imprint name dates the book and is the primary tell: Southwestern Monuments Association = earliest (from 1938); Southwest Parks and Monuments Association = late 1960s onward; Western National Parks Association = 2002 onward.
- Interpretive guides and booklets are heavily reprinted; editions are usually stated (Second edition, Revised) and many give a printing line. A first printing shows the original date with no revision or reprint statement.
- Modern titles may carry a number line; a complete line ending in 1 indicates a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- First book published was The Guide to Southwestern National Monuments (1938), reissued in later editions, so the edition statement is essential to distinguish a first.
- Because titles are inexpensive interpretive guides sold at park visitor centers, repeated printings with the same content are the norm; trust the stated edition or printing, not the cover.
- The three successive organization names function like dated imprints. The final name change to Western National Parks Association occurred in 2002 (not merely 'current'); match the name to the era to avoid mislabeling a later printing as a first.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Southwestern Monuments Association (SWMA, 1938 founding name), Southwest Parks and Monuments Association (SPMA, late 1960s), Western National Parks Association (WNPA, from 2002). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Western National Parks Association (formerly Southwest Parks and Monuments Association / Southwestern Monuments Association) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Nonprofit interpretive publisher partnered with the National Park Service since 1938. The imprint name dates the book and is the primary tell: Southwestern Monuments Association = earliest (from 1938); Southwest Parks and Monuments Association = late 1960s onward; Western National Parks Association = 2002 onward. Interpretive guides and booklets are heavily reprinted; editions are usually stated (Second edition, Revised) and many give a printing line. A first printing shows the original date with no revision or reprint statement.
Does Western National Parks Association (formerly Southwest Parks and Monuments Association / Southwestern Monuments Association) use a number line?
Interpretive guides and booklets are heavily reprinted; editions are usually stated (Second edition, Revised) and many give a printing line. A first printing shows the original date with no revision or reprint statement.
Is a book-club edition a Western National Parks Association (formerly Southwest Parks and Monuments Association / Southwestern Monuments Association) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. First book published was The Guide to Southwestern National Monuments (1938), reissued in later editions, so the edition statement is essential to distinguish a first.
What era does this cover?
This covers Western National Parks Association (formerly Southwest Parks and Monuments Association / Southwestern Monuments Association) (1938-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.