Book number line meaning

They are often printed in descending order 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the lowest number generally indicates the printing of that particular copy. It was created by gordon foster, emeritus professor of statistics at trinity college, dublin, 4 for the booksellers and stationers whsmith and others in 1965. The printers key, also known as the number line, is a line of text printed on the page. As you delve into the world of book collecting and begin to grasp the basics of identifying first editions and the print runs of collectible books, you are certain to come across something called the number line. Reeder returns, published by hodder in 1965, has sbn 340 081 8, where 340 indicates the publisher, 081 is. In some more recent publications, there may be a number line which in first and second printings begins or ends with a 2, e. Also known as a printers key or publishers code, the number line is a string of numbers printed on the. Number lines have been commonly used in the postworld war ii era. These numbers are called the printers key or numberline and represent. Rdd appearing anywhere in a number line, for example, is an acronym for r. In some more recent publications, there may be a number line which in. Home book collecting glossary of terms number line number line a series of numbers appearing on the page of a book, where the lowest number generally indicates the printing of that particular copy e. On the page of a book, you see a string of numbers. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of sinai 14, and of their numbering.

This is how the printers key will appear in the first print run of a book. The standard book number sbn is a commercial system using ninedigit code numbers to identify books. Numbers, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. If it is the second printing then the 1 i s removed, meani ng that the l owest nu mber seen will be 2. Number s are removed with subsequent printings, so if 1 i s seen then the bo ok is the first printing of that edition. Usually, if a one is present in the line then its a first edition.

Another common method of identification is the number line thats a line of numbers on the page. Numbers are removed with subsequent printings, so if 1 is seen then the book is the first printing of that edition. Random house is the largest generalinterest trade book publisher in the world. The line sequence could ascend or descend or even have no discernable order depending on the publisher. Usually, if a one is present in the line then its a first. The number line, or printers key, often seen on the page of books is simply a method of recordkeeping that helps identify the books. As more runs are printed, the lowest number in the line will determine what printing you have. The international standard book number isbn is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique. Each book ive checked so far has no number line though, and i cant seem to find the price listed anywhere either. Also known as a printers key or publishers code, the number line is a string of numbers printed on the page, and it is used to indicate the print run for the book. All my dad has told me about them was that he bought them when he was younger born in 1970 and they all seem to have the original cover art.

If there is a 1 still present in the number line, it is the first print of the book from the publisher. Usually the printers key is a series of numbers or letters, as in the. As you delve into the world of book collecting and begin to grasp the basics of identifying first editions and the print runs of collectible books, you are certain to. The number line near the bottom of the page doesnt necessarily determine the edition, but it tells you how many times the book has been printed. The number line, or printers key, often seen on the page of books is simply a method of recordkeeping that helps identify the books printing and, for some, year of printing a specific book, which may or may not be different than the original date listed elsewhere on the page. First edition identification can be a complex and sometimes maddening task, but theres no question that books published in recent years are easier to nail down than those 50, 100 or more years old, largely due to the introduction some decades ago of the socalled number line. As the editor for square fish, our paperback line, i think about print lines.

The assumption is that number lines also called printers codes or keys designate precise printing states and thus aid significantly in first edition identification. First edition identification can be a complex and sometimes maddening task, but theres no question that recent books are easier to nail down. An sbn may be converted to an isbn by prefixing the digit 0. Why do books copyright pages have 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. If it is the second printing then the 1 is removed, meaning that the lowest number seen will be 2.