How to identify a first printing
- 1967-1990s (independent, Berkeley, CA, founder Thomas Winnett): Trade firsts state 'First Edition'/'First printing'; many carry a printing line. Guidebooks are heavily revised, so each edition is explicitly numbered ('2nd edition', '3rd edition') and re-dated — the original first is the earliest edition with no revision note.
- 1990s-2000s: Standard descending number line on the copyright page; lowest digit present indicates the printing ('1' = first). Edition number is stated separately for content revisions.
- 2008-present (after the 2008 sale to Keen Communications / AdventureKEEN): Continues number-line practice; lowest surviving digit indicates the printing. Confirm edition currency for the long-running trail series before calling a first.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1967 by Thomas Winnett with 'Sierra North'; pioneered the detailed, route-by-route Western backpacking guidebook (John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe-Yosemite, and Sierra trail guides).
- Because guidebooks are revised across many editions over decades, EDITION (content revision) matters as much as PRINTING for identification.
- Sold by the Winnett family in 2008 to Keen Communications and is now published within the AdventureKEEN family (Birmingham, AL).
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Wilderness Press, Wilderness Press (Keen Communications / AdventureKEEN imprint). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Wilderness Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1967-1990s (independent, Berkeley, CA, founder Thomas Winnett): Trade firsts state 'First Edition'/'First printing'; many carry a printing line. Guidebooks are heavily revised, so each edition is explicitly numbered ('2nd edition', '3rd edition') and re-dated — the original first is the earliest edition with no revision note. 1990s-2000s: Standard descending number line on the copyright page; lowest digit present indicates the printing ('1' = first). Edition number is stated separately for content revisions.
Does Wilderness Press use a number line?
1990s-2000s: Standard descending number line on the copyright page; lowest digit present indicates the printing ('1' = first). Edition number is stated separately for content revisions.
Is a book-club edition a Wilderness Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1967 by Thomas Winnett with 'Sierra North'; pioneered the detailed, route-by-route Western backpacking guidebook (John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe-Yosemite, and Sierra trail guides).
What era does this cover?
This covers Wilderness Press (1967-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.