How to identify a first printing
- 1969-late 1970s (Olin/Winchester corporate ownership, New York / Garden City NY): Firsts typically state 'First Edition'/'First Printing'; some titles also carry a descending number line where the lowest digit present indicates the printing ('1' = first). Hunting, shooting, and fishing focus.
- Co-branded 'Winchester Press / Nick Lyons Books' titles (Garden City, NY) appear as Nick Lyons developed his imprint alongside Winchester in the later 1970s; the co-imprint name on the title/copyright page is a recognized tell for that period.
- 1982 onward (after New Century acquisition; New Win Publishing successor, later Piscataway, NJ): Continued trade practice with a printing statement and/or number line; the change of imprint to New Win signals the later era.
Notable points & cautions
- Sporting-arms publisher originating as an Olin/Winchester corporate venture; associated with Jim Rikhoff, who later founded Amwell Press.
- An important link between corporate sporting publishing and the Nick Lyons lineage — the co-imprint 'Winchester Press / Nick Lyons Books' is a recognized identifier.
- Specialized in firearms, hunting, fishing, and outdoor reference; acquired by New Century in 1982 and continued as New Win Publishing.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Winchester Press, Winchester Press / Nick Lyons Books (co-imprint), New Win Publishing (successor, with Winchester Press as a continuing imprint). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Winchester Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1969-late 1970s (Olin/Winchester corporate ownership, New York / Garden City NY): Firsts typically state 'First Edition'/'First Printing'; some titles also carry a descending number line where the lowest digit present indicates the printing ('1' = first). Hunting, shooting, and fishing focus. Co-branded 'Winchester Press / Nick Lyons Books' titles (Garden City, NY) appear as Nick Lyons developed his imprint alongside Winchester in the later 1970s; the co-imprint name on the title/copyright page is a recognized tell for that period.
Does Winchester Press use a number line?
Co-branded 'Winchester Press / Nick Lyons Books' titles (Garden City, NY) appear as Nick Lyons developed his imprint alongside Winchester in the later 1970s; the co-imprint name on the title/copyright page is a recognized tell for that period.
Is a book-club edition a Winchester Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Sporting-arms publisher originating as an Olin/Winchester corporate venture; associated with Jim Rikhoff, who later founded Amwell Press.
What era does this cover?
This covers Winchester Press (1969-early 1980s (Winchester Press); New Win Publishing successor from 1982). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.