How to identify a first printing
- 1946–1949 (Random House era): Wonder Books launched in 1946 as a low-priced picture-book line owned by Random House, competing with Little Golden Books. First printings carry a series/stock number; identify the earliest issue by the shortest back-cover or interior title list (later printings list more titles) and by copyright year. There is no number line or explicit first-edition statement.
- 1949–1953 (Grosset & Dunlap control; Curtis distribution): Grosset & Dunlap gained control via stock acquisition in 1949 and styled the line 'Wonder Treasure Books'; Curtis Publishing handled distribution from 1949. The Wonder Treasure Books wording dates a book to this window. Still no printing statement — use the back-cover title list and stock number.
- 1953–c.1977 (Curtis/Grosset & Dunlap joint venture): in 1953 Wonder Books became part of a Curtis plus Grosset & Dunlap joint venture. The educational How and Why Wonder Books series was introduced in 1960. First printings are identified by the shortest title list, price, and copyright year; reprints add later titles. The line ended about 1977 when Curtis shut down.
Notable points & cautions
- A direct low-price competitor to Little Golden Books, begun in 1946 under Random House.
- Ownership and branding arc: Random House (1946), then Grosset & Dunlap control with Wonder Treasure Books branding and Curtis distribution (1949), then a Curtis plus Grosset & Dunlap joint venture (1953), ending about 1977.
- Primary dating tools: stock/series number, the shortest back-cover or endpaper title list (shortest list is earliest), and copyright year. No number line.
- Spawned the popular educational How and Why Wonder Books series, introduced in 1960.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Wonder Books, Wonder Treasure Books, How and Why Wonder Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Wonder Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1946–1949 (Random House era): Wonder Books launched in 1946 as a low-priced picture-book line owned by Random House, competing with Little Golden Books. First printings carry a series/stock number; identify the earliest issue by the shortest back-cover or interior title list (later printings list more titles) and by copyright year. There is no number line or explicit first-edition statement. 1949–1953 (Grosset & Dunlap control; Curtis distribution): Grosset & Dunlap gained control via stock acquisition in 1949 and styled the line 'Wonder Treasure Books'; Curtis Publishing handled distribution from 1949. The Wonder Treasure Books wording dates a book to this window. Still no printing statement — use the back-cover title list and stock number.
Does Wonder Books use a number line?
1949–1953 (Grosset & Dunlap control; Curtis distribution): Grosset & Dunlap gained control via stock acquisition in 1949 and styled the line 'Wonder Treasure Books'; Curtis Publishing handled distribution from 1949. The Wonder Treasure Books wording dates a book to this window. Still no printing statement — use the back-cover title list and stock number.
Is a book-club edition a Wonder Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A direct low-price competitor to Little Golden Books, begun in 1946 under Random House.
What era does this cover?
This covers Wonder Books (1946–c.1977). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.