British publishers
Identifying Penguin Books first editions
How Penguin Books marked its first printings
c. 1935 – 1980s
Printing history is listed on the verso: 'First published in Penguin Books [year]' followed by 'Reprinted [years]'. Only the first line with no reprints is a first Penguin printing.
Modern
Number lines; the lowest number is the printing. 'First published [year]' names the first edition, which may be another publisher's.
Reading the number line
Where Penguin Books 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
Like most British houses, this publisher recorded the book's history on the verso: a 'First published in [year]' line, with any later impressions listed underneath ('Second impression', 'Reprinted'). A verso with the first-publication line and nothing beneath it points to the first impression.
Common pitfalls
- 'First published in Penguin Books' only means the first Penguin printing, not the first edition of the work.
Book-club editions
Book-club editions are less common for this house, but the general tells still apply: no price on the jacket, “Book Club Edition” on the flap, and cheaper boards and paper.
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 Penguin Books book is a first edition?
Most Penguins are reprints of hardcover firsts, but paperback originals and Penguin's own hardcover imprints can be true firsts. c. 1935 – 1980s: Printing history is listed on the verso: 'First published in Penguin Books [year]' followed by 'Reprinted [years]'. Only the first line with no reprints is a first Penguin printing. Modern: Number lines; the lowest number is the printing. 'First published [year]' names the first edition, which may be another publisher's.
Does a Penguin Books number line start at 1?
Generally yes. When Penguin Books uses a number line, the lowest number shown is usually the printing, so a first printing includes 1.
Does "First Edition" on a Penguin Books copyright page guarantee a first printing?
Like most British houses, this publisher recorded the book's history on the verso: a 'First published in [year]' line, with any later impressions listed underneath ('Second impression', 'Reprinted'). A verso with the first-publication line and nothing beneath it points to the first impression.
What are the common mistakes with Penguin Books first editions?
'First published in Penguin Books' only means the first Penguin printing, not the first edition of the work.
Sources of known practice
- Zempel & Verkler, First Editions: A Guide to Identification (compiles publishers' own statements of practice)
- John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors (for terminology: edition, impression, issue, state)
Practice varied between imprints and over time; dates given are approximate. This is guidance, not an appraisal.
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