American publishers
Identifying Little, Brown and Company first editions
How Little, Brown and Company marked its first printings
c. 1930s – 1970s
'First Edition' or 'Published [month] [year]' with no later printing notices usually indicates a first printing.
c. 1970s – present
Number lines with 'First Edition'; the lowest number decides, as the statement may be retained on reprints.
Reading the number line
Where Little, Brown and Company 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
- Famous titles (e.g. The Catcher in the Rye) have jacket and textual points that matter far more than the copyright page.
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
- 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 Little, Brown and Company book is a first edition?
Little, Brown generally marks 'First Edition' but has at times retained the statement alongside a number line on later printings. c. 1930s – 1970s: 'First Edition' or 'Published [month] [year]' with no later printing notices usually indicates a first printing. c. 1970s – present: Number lines with 'First Edition'; the lowest number decides, as the statement may be retained on reprints.
Does a Little, Brown and Company number line start at 1?
Generally yes. When Little, Brown and Company uses a number line, the lowest number shown is usually the printing, so a first printing includes 1.
Does "First Edition" on a Little, Brown and Company 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 Little, Brown and Company 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 Little, Brown and Company first editions?
Famous titles (e.g. The Catcher in the Rye) have jacket and textual points that matter far more than the copyright page.
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
- Bill McBride, Points of Issue
Practice varied between imprints and over time; dates given are approximate. This is guidance, not an appraisal.
Have a Little, Brown and Company book in front of you?