How to identify a first printing
- Number line on copyright page; a first printing shows the complete line including '1' (descending style typical, '10 9 8 7 ... 1')
- Many Workman trade nonfiction/calendar/gift titles omit an explicit 'First Edition' statement and rely on the number line alone — absence of a stated-first is normal, so the number line is the primary signal
- Workman self-distributed (including its imprints) until the 2021 Hachette Book Group acquisition; post-2021 titles follow HBG production norms
- Printing date / 'Printed in China' or printer note sometimes present but not an edition signal
Notable points & cautions
- Imprints Storey (how-to/country living), Timber (gardening/natural history), Artisan (illustrated/cookbooks), and Algonquin (literary) all use the same conventional number-line approach
- High-volume gift/reference titles are frequently reprinted; the absence of a low number on the line is the reliable tell for a later printing
- Do not expect a colophon device unique to Workman — there is no house point of issue
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Workman, Artisan, Storey Publishing, Timber Press, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Algonquin Young Readers. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Workman Publishing Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Number line on copyright page; a first printing shows the complete line including '1' (descending style typical, '10 9 8 7 ... 1') Many Workman trade nonfiction/calendar/gift titles omit an explicit 'First Edition' statement and rely on the number line alone — absence of a stated-first is normal, so the number line is the primary signal
Does Workman Publishing Company use a number line?
Many Workman trade nonfiction/calendar/gift titles omit an explicit 'First Edition' statement and rely on the number line alone — absence of a stated-first is normal, so the number line is the primary signal
Is a book-club edition a Workman Publishing Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Imprints Storey (how-to/country living), Timber (gardening/natural history), Artisan (illustrated/cookbooks), and Algonquin (literary) all use the same conventional number-line approach
What era does this cover?
This covers Workman Publishing Company (1968–present (HBG-owned 2021–)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.