How to Identify a Viking Press First Edition

Viking Press — founded in 1925 by Harold K. Guinzburg and George S. Oppenheim and now operating as an imprint of Penguin Random House — has published some of the most important American and international literary works of the twentieth century. Its roster includes John Steinbeck, Jack Kerouac, Saul Bellow, Arthur Miller, Stephen King (during the 1980s and 1990s), and numerous other major figures. Identifying Viking first editions is essential for collectors of American literary fiction.

Identification Methods by Era

Early Viking (1925–1950s)

In its earliest decades, Viking did not use a standardized number line. First edition identification relies on:

Edition statement: First printings typically state “First published by The Viking Press in [date]” or “Published in [date]” on the copyright page. Subsequent printings add “Second printing,” “Third printing,” etc.

Matching dates: If the date on the title page matches the copyright date and no additional printings are listed, the book is likely a first printing.

Key titles from this era:

• John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) — “First Published in April 1939” on copyright page; first printing lacks “Viking compass” device
• Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (1937) — “First published in February 1937”
• Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman (1949) — the play text, published by Viking

Mid-Century Viking (1950s–1970s)

During this period, Viking began transitioning to more standardized printing identification:

Edition statement: “First edition” or “First published in [date]” on the copyright page. Subsequent printings noted.

Key titles from this era:

• Saul Bellow’s Henderson the Rain King (1959)
• Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962) — first printing states “First published in 1962 by The Viking Press, Inc.”
• Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (1957) — the copyright page of the first printing has no additional printing dates; the book is bound in black cloth with white lettering on the spine

Modern Viking (1970s–Present)

Modern Viking editions use the standard number line system:

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

The lowest number present indicates the printing. If “1” is present, you have a first printing. Viking also typically includes the words “First Edition” or “First published” on the copyright page, though the number line is the more reliable indicator.

Key titles from this era:

• Stephen King’s It (1986) — number line with “1”; Viking colophon (ship device)
• Stephen King’s Misery (1987)
• Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers (1987)

The Viking Colophon

Viking’s publisher’s device — a Viking ship — has appeared in various forms throughout the company’s history. The ship appears on the title page, spine, or copyright page of most Viking publications. The colophon helps confirm the publisher but does not by itself indicate printing.

Viking and Penguin

In 1975, Viking merged with Penguin Books to form Penguin Group. Viking continued as a distinct hardcover imprint. Since 2013, following the merger of Penguin and Random House, Viking operates as an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The corporate changes have not significantly affected identification methods — Viking continues to use standard number lines and edition statements under the Penguin Random House umbrella.

Common Pitfalls

Book Club Editions

Like most major publishers, Viking titles were frequently selected by book clubs. Viking BCEs can closely resemble trade editions. Standard BCE identification applies:

• Check for a price on the dust jacket front flap (BCEs typically lack one)
• Look for a blind stamp on the rear board
• Compare the book’s weight and size to known trade copies

Kerouac Identification

Kerouac first editions from Viking are among the most valuable modern firsts, making accurate identification critical:

On the Road (1957): First printing bound in black cloth with white lettering on spine. Copyright page states “Published in 1957 by The Viking Press, Inc.” without additional printing dates. The number “1” should be present (in editions that use a number line — note that the earliest Viking printings may predate the number line system).

The Dharma Bums (1958): Similar identification — check for the absence of additional printing information on the copyright page.

Steinbeck Identification

Steinbeck’s Viking first editions are major collectibles:

The Grapes of Wrath (1939): First printing states “First Published in April 1939” and carries no mention of a second printing. First printing is in a beige cloth binding. The “First Edition” designation on the copyright page was removed from the second printing, which was issued within weeks of the first.

East of Eden (1952): “First published by The Viking Press in 1952” on copyright page. First printing has green cloth binding.

The Viking Portable Library

Viking’s Portable Library series — compact anthologies of major authors — is a separate collecting specialty. First editions of the Portable Faulkner (edited by Malcolm Cowley, 1946), the Portable Hemingway, and other titles in the series are modestly collected.

Market Position

Viking first editions occupy a strong position in the American literary market. The combination of important authors, well-made trade editions, and a long publishing history makes Viking one of the most frequently encountered — and most important — publishers in modern first edition collecting. Collectors of American literature will inevitably build significant portions of their collections from Viking’s catalog.