Ready Reference Files

Number Line on Verso of the Title Page

On the verso of the title page a publisher may add a "number line" or "print line" to indicate the current printing.

The lowest number indicates the current printing. For instance, when a title is first published the following line is added to the copyright page:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 2 1

The lowest number in this series is "1" and so indicates that the book is a first printing.

Whenever the title is reprinted the lowest number to the right is removed; thus, the second printing would begin the print line at the right with '2,' the '1' having been removed.

The format of the print line is not standardized. Different publishers may have varying formats, which may also include edition years. For formats used by specific publishers, see the source cited below.

Source: First editions : a guide to identification, edited by Edward Zempel and Linda Verkler. Third edition. Peoria, IL : Spoon River Press, c1995.

Verified by: DL 7/99

Disclaimer:
While the Library has verified the information presented in these files in what it considers to be reliable and authoritative sources, it cannot take responsibility for nor guarantee the accuracy of the information presented.