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Creasy Spines

“Every crease is a story.”

American publishers

Identifying Harper & Brothers first editions

H
arper used month-and-year letter codes early on, then 'First Edition' statements, and later sometimes kept that statement on reprints. This guide sets out how Harper & Brothers marked its printings over time, how to read its number lines and statements, and where collectors most often go wrong.

How Harper & Brothers marked its first printings

c. 1912 – 1922

A two-letter code on the copyright page denotes the month and year of printing; a code matching the publication date suggests a first printing.

c. 1922 – 1970s

'First Edition' statement generally indicates a first printing.

c. 1970s – present

Number lines are used, and 'First Edition' has at times been left in place on later printings. Trust the lowest number in the line over the statement.

Reading the number line

Where Harper & Brothers 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 is known to have left its first-edition statement in place on some later printings, particularly once number lines were in use. Treat the statement as a starting point only: the lowest number in the number line is the better evidence.

Common pitfalls

  • A 'First Edition' statement with a number line whose lowest number is above 1 is a later printing.
  • HarperCollins UK and US practices differ; check which imprint and city appear.

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.

Checking a copy in hand

  1. Read the entire copyright page, including small type at the foot, for any later-printing notice.
  2. Find the number line, if any, and note the lowest number.
  3. Compare the copyright date with any title-page date; on a first printing they normally agree.
  4. Check the jacket flap for a price and the rear board for a blind-stamp.
  5. For valuable titles, confirm title-specific points in a descriptive bibliography.

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell if a Harper & Brothers book is a first edition?

Harper used month-and-year letter codes early on, then 'First Edition' statements, and later sometimes kept that statement on reprints. c. 1912 – 1922: A two-letter code on the copyright page denotes the month and year of printing; a code matching the publication date suggests a first printing. c. 1922 – 1970s: 'First Edition' statement generally indicates a first printing. c. 1970s – present: Number lines are used, and 'First Edition' has at times been left in place on later printings. Trust the lowest number in the line over the statement.

Does a Harper & Brothers number line start at 1?

Generally yes. When Harper & Brothers uses a number line, the lowest number shown is usually the printing, so a first printing includes 1.

Does "First Edition" on a Harper & Brothers copyright page guarantee a first printing?

This house is known to have left its first-edition statement in place on some later printings, particularly once number lines were in use. Treat the statement as a starting point only: the lowest number in the number line is the better evidence.

How can I spot a Harper & Brothers 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.

What are the common mistakes with Harper & Brothers first editions?

A 'First Edition' statement with a number line whose lowest number is above 1 is a later printing. HarperCollins UK and US practices differ; check which imprint and city appear.

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.

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