How to identify a first printing
- Early titles (1970s-1980s): small letterpress/offset runs; first/only printing identified by colophon or copyright statement; absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing.
- Later titles: first printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Many titles carry a SERIES number (catalog, not printing) — do not confuse series numbering with printing data.
- On translations (the press's core), the first English-language printing is governed by the White Pine copyright-page statement; prior original-language publication abroad does not affect White Pine first-printing status.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1973 by poet/translator Dennis Maloney; based in Buffalo, New York; nonprofit. The idea germinated during Maloney's 1973 independent study in Kyoto, Japan.
- Specializes in world literature in translation (over 100 translated titles within an output of more than 400 books) plus American poetry; published Pablo Neruda, Marjorie Agosin, Matsuo Basho, and others.
- In 2009 it published more volumes of poetry in translation than any other U.S. publisher; series numbering can be mistaken for printing data.
- The annual White Pine Press Poetry Prize is a recurring imprint marker.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: White Pine Press, Companions for the Journey (series), White Pine Press Poetry Prize series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my White Pine Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Early titles (1970s-1980s): small letterpress/offset runs; first/only printing identified by colophon or copyright statement; absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first printing. Later titles: first printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Many titles carry a SERIES number (catalog, not printing) — do not confuse series numbering with printing data.
Does White Pine Press use a number line?
Later titles: first printing identified by 'First edition'/'First printing' wording and/or a number line whose lowest digit is 1. Many titles carry a SERIES number (catalog, not printing) — do not confuse series numbering with printing data.
Is a book-club edition a White Pine Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1973 by poet/translator Dennis Maloney; based in Buffalo, New York; nonprofit. The idea germinated during Maloney's 1973 independent study in Kyoto, Japan.
What era does this cover?
This covers White Pine Press (1973-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.