American publishers
Identifying Doubleday first editions
How Doubleday marked its first printings
c. 1920s – present
'First Edition' on the copyright page of the trade edition generally indicates the first printing; later printings drop it.
Modern
Where a number line appears, the lowest number should be 1 and 'First Edition' should be present.
Reading the number line
Where Doubleday prints a number line (a row such as 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1), the printer removes the lowest number at each new printing. The lowest number you can see is therefore the printing: a first printing shows 1. Split lines such as 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 work the same way; look for the 1 anywhere in the row.
What the edition statement means
This house generally printed a first-edition or first-printing statement on the first printing and removed or replaced it on later printings. A copy that lacks the statement, from a period when the house used one, is most likely a later printing.
Common pitfalls
- Doubleday book-club editions often carry a small printed gutter code in the inner margin near the end of the text; trade firsts do not.
- Book-club copies may even reproduce 'First Edition' on the copyright page; always check boards, jacket price and gutter.
Book-club editions
- A small blind-stamp (dot, circle, square or maple leaf) pressed into the lower corner of the rear board.
- No price on the front jacket flap, often with 'Book Club Edition' printed on the flap.
- Book-club copies are frequently slightly smaller, on thinner paper, with cheaper paper-covered boards.
- A small code (letter and number) printed in the gutter of one of the last pages of text is a strong Doubleday book-club indicator.
Checking a copy in hand
- Read the entire copyright page, including small type at the foot, for any later-printing notice.
- Find the number line, if any, and note the lowest number.
- Compare the copyright date with any title-page date; on a first printing they normally agree.
- Check the jacket flap for a price and the rear board for a blind-stamp.
- For valuable titles, confirm title-specific points in a descriptive bibliography.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell if a Doubleday book is a first edition?
Doubleday states 'First Edition' on trade firsts, but it also ran the largest book-club operation, so book-club copies are everywhere. c. 1920s – present: 'First Edition' on the copyright page of the trade edition generally indicates the first printing; later printings drop it. Modern: Where a number line appears, the lowest number should be 1 and 'First Edition' should be present.
Does a Doubleday number line start at 1?
Generally yes. When Doubleday uses a number line, the lowest number shown is usually the printing, so a first printing includes 1.
Does "First Edition" on a Doubleday copyright page guarantee a first printing?
This house generally printed a first-edition or first-printing statement on the first printing and removed or replaced it on later printings. A copy that lacks the statement, from a period when the house used one, is most likely a later printing.
How can I spot a Doubleday book-club edition?
A small blind-stamp (dot, circle, square or maple leaf) pressed into the lower corner of the rear board. No price on the front jacket flap, often with 'Book Club Edition' printed on the flap. Book-club copies are frequently slightly smaller, on thinner paper, with cheaper paper-covered boards. A small code (letter and number) printed in the gutter of one of the last pages of text is a strong Doubleday book-club indicator.
What are the common mistakes with Doubleday first editions?
Doubleday book-club editions often carry a small printed gutter code in the inner margin near the end of the text; trade firsts do not. Book-club copies may even reproduce 'First Edition' on the copyright page; always check boards, jacket price and gutter.
Sources of known practice
- Zempel & Verkler, First Editions: A Guide to Identification (compiles publishers' own statements of practice)
- Bill McBride, A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions
Practice varied between imprints and over time; dates given are approximate. This is guidance, not an appraisal.
Have a Doubleday book in front of you?