A press number is a number assigned to a particular printing of a book that helps identify that printing. The press number is generally printed on the copyright page, along with the name of the printer and the date the book was printed.
A press number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific printing of a publication. This number allows for the tracing of a particular print run of a book, magazine, or newspaper. The press number is generally printed on the copyright page, along with the printing history of the publication.
The press number can be used to track the provenance of a particular copy of a book. For example, if a book is later discovered to have been printed with an error, the press number can be used to identify which print run is affected. Press numbers can also be used to track the popularity of a particular book, as publishers often use print runs as a measure of demand.
Press numbers can also be used by libraries and other institutions to track the holdings of a particular publication. For example, a library may use a press number to determine if it has a complete set of a particular magazine.
The press number is important because it can help identify a particular printing of a book when multiple printings are made. For example, if there are two printings of a book and someone has a copy of the first printing, the press number can be used to identify that copy.
The press number can also be helpful when trying to track down a specific copy of a book. For example, if a library has a copy of a book with a particular press number, that number can be used to request a specific copy from a bookstore or other library.
The press number is just one part of the overall printing history of a publication. Other information that is typically included on the copyright page includes the date of publication, the printer’s mark, and the colophon.