Difference between revisions of "Gutter code"
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!Code!!Year!!Example Title | !Code!!Year!!Example Title | ||
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− | |##||1958||(The gutter code has no letter and just shows the week the publication was printed) | + | |##||[[Publisher:SFBC_1953-1959#1958|1958]]||(The gutter code has no letter and just shows the week the publication was printed) |
22 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THBLCKCLDS1958 The Black Cloud]'' (Harper & Brothers 1957)<br> | 22 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THBLCKCLDS1958 The Black Cloud]'' (Harper & Brothers 1957)<br> | ||
23 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?TCHFSTRNG1958 A Touch of Strange]'' (Doubleday 1958)<br> | 23 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?TCHFSTRNG1958 A Touch of Strange]'' (Doubleday 1958)<br> | ||
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31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LCKSTRRNDT1958 Lucky Starr and the Rings of Saturn]'' (Doubleday 1958) | 31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LCKSTRRNDT1958 Lucky Starr and the Rings of Saturn]'' (Doubleday 1958) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |A||1959|| | + | |A||[[Publisher:SFBC_1953-1959#1959|1959]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |B||1960||B-46 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?STRSTRS1960 Star of Stars]'' (Doubleday 1960) | + | |B||[[Publisher:SFBC_1960-1964#1960|1960]]||B-46 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?STRSTRS1960 Star of Stars]'' (Doubleday 1960) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |C||1961||C48 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FRMTHCNFRM1961 From the Ocean, from the Stars]'' (Harcourt, Brace & World 1961) | + | |C||[[Publisher:SFBC_1960-1964#1961|1961]]||C48 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FRMTHCNFRM1961 From the Ocean, from the Stars]'' (Harcourt, Brace & World 1961) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |D||1962|| | + | |D||[[Publisher:SFBC_1960-1964#1962|1962]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |E||1963|| | + | |E||[[Publisher:SFBC_1960-1964#1963|1963]]|| |
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− | |F||1964||F18 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LLTHCLRSFD1964 All the Colors of Darkness]'' (Doubleday 1964) | + | |F||[[Publisher:SFBC_1960-1964#1964|1964]]||F18 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LLTHCLRSFD1964 All the Colors of Darkness]'' (Doubleday 1964) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |G||1965|| | + | |G||[[Publisher:SFBC_1965-1969#1965|1965]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |H||1966|| | + | |H||[[Publisher:SFBC_1965-1969#1966|1966]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |I||1967||37I ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?ELEMENT691967 Element 79]'' (NAL 1967) | + | |I||[[Publisher:SFBC_1965-1969#1967|1967]]||37I ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?ELEMENT691967 Element 79]'' (NAL 1967) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |J||1968||J19 ''Where Eagles Dare'' (Doubleday 1967) (Not specfict) | + | |J||[[Publisher:SFBC_1965-1969#1968|1968]]||J19 ''Where Eagles Dare'' (Doubleday 1967) (Not specfict) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |K||1969|| | + | |K||[[Publisher:SFBC_1965-1969#1969|1969]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |L or A||1970||08L ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?GLCTCPTHLR1970 Galactic Pot-Healer]'' (Berkley 1969)<br> | + | |L or A||[[Publisher:SFBC_1970-1974#1970|1970]]||08L ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?GLCTCPTHLR1970 Galactic Pot-Healer]'' (Berkley 1969)<br> |
A51 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?RFTHCLDXVQ1971 Year of the Cloud] (Doubleday 1970) | A51 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?RFTHCLDXVQ1971 Year of the Cloud] (Doubleday 1970) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |M or B||1971||B11 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNWTHRNWHD1971 Fun with Your New Head]'' (Doubleday 1968) | + | |M or B||[[Publisher:SFBC_1970-1974#1971|1971]]||B11 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNWTHRNWHD1971 Fun with Your New Head]'' (Doubleday 1968) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |N or C||1972||45N ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1972 The 1972 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1972) | + | |N or C||[[Publisher:SFBC_1970-1974#1972|1972]]||45N ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1972 The 1972 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1972) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |O or D||1973||D15 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THVRLRDSFW1973 The Overlords of War]'' (Doubleday 1973)<br> | + | |O or D||[[Publisher:SFBC_1970-1974#1973|1973]]||D15 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THVRLRDSFW1973 The Overlords of War]'' (Doubleday 1973)<br> |
O25 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1973 The 1973 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1973) | O25 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1973 The 1973 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1973) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |P or E||1974||E33 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1974 The 1974 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1974)<br> | + | |P or E||[[Publisher:SFBC_1970-1974#1974|1974]]||E33 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1974 The 1974 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1974)<br> |
E36 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NCNTMNMGLQ1974 Ancient, My Enemy]'' (Doubleday 1974)<br> | E36 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NCNTMNMGLQ1974 Ancient, My Enemy]'' (Doubleday 1974)<br> | ||
P22 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?SLFTHRBTWH1974 Soul of the Robot]'' (Doubleday 1974) | P22 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?SLFTHRBTWH1974 Soul of the Robot]'' (Doubleday 1974) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |Q or F||1975||Q30 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1975 The 1975 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1975) | + | |Q or F||[[Publisher:SFBC_1975-1979#1975|1975]]||Q30 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1975 The 1975 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1975) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |R or G||1976||G24 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?DRGNGRG19XX The Dragon and the George]'' (Doubleday 1976)<br> | + | |R or G||[[Publisher:SFBC_1975-1979#1976|1976]]||G24 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?DRGNGRG19XX The Dragon and the George]'' (Doubleday 1976)<br> |
R26 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1976 The 1976 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1976) | R26 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1976 The 1976 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1976) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |S or H||1977||H03 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THBCNTNNLM1977 The Bicentennial Man: And Other Stories]'' (Doubleday 1976)<br> | + | |S or H||[[Publisher:SFBC_1975-1979#1977|1977]]||H03 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THBCNTNNLM1977 The Bicentennial Man: And Other Stories]'' (Doubleday 1976)<br> |
H32 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1977 The 1977 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1977) | H32 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1977 The 1977 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1977) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |T or I||1978||I43 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?MSTRSFSLTD1978 The Masters of Solitude]'' (Doubleday 1978)<br> | + | |T or I||[[Publisher:SFBC_1975-1979#1978|1978]]||I43 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?MSTRSFSLTD1978 The Masters of Solitude]'' (Doubleday 1978)<br> |
I28 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1978 The 1978 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1978)<br> | I28 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1978 The 1978 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1978)<br> | ||
I51 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THCHRVLM471979 The Chronicles of Amber: Volume I]'' (Nelson Doubleday 1972) | I51 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THCHRVLM471979 The Chronicles of Amber: Volume I]'' (Nelson Doubleday 1972) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |U or J||1979||J13 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LVTHNSDP1979 Leviathan's Deep]'' (Doubleday 1979) | + | |U or J||[[Publisher:SFBC_1975-1979#1979|1979]]||J13 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?LVTHNSDP1979 Leviathan's Deep]'' (Doubleday 1979) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |V or K||1980||V10 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THMNTLDY8F1980 The Man Who Loved the Midnight Lady]'' (Doubleday 1980)<br> | + | |V or K||[[Publisher:SFBC_1980-1984#1980|1980]]||V10 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THMNTLDY8F1980 The Man Who Loved the Midnight Lady]'' (Doubleday 1980)<br> |
K31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FRFLDNDTHR1979 Fireflood and Other Stories]'' (Houghton Mifflin 1979) | K31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FRFLDNDTHR1979 Fireflood and Other Stories]'' (Houghton Mifflin 1979) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |L||1981||L29 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NNLWRLDSBS1981 The 1981 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1981) | + | |L||[[Publisher:SFBC_1980-1984#1981|1981]]||L29 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NNLWRLDSBS1981 The 1981 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1981) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |M||1982||M33 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NNLWRLDSBS1982 The 1982 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1982)<br> | + | |M||[[Publisher:SFBC_1980-1984#1982|1982]]||M33 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?NNLWRLDSBS1982 The 1982 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1982)<br> |
M36 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNDTNSDGHM1982 Foundation's Edge]'' (1982)<br> | M36 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNDTNSDGHM1982 Foundation's Edge]'' (1982)<br> | ||
M39 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNDTNSDGHM1982 Foundation's Edge]'' (1982) | M39 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FNDTNSDGHM1982 Foundation's Edge]'' (1982) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |N||1983||N32 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FVRDRMXVMB1983 Fevre Dream]'' (Poseidon Press 1982)<br> | + | |N||[[Publisher:SFBC_1980-1984#1983|1983]]||N32 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?FVRDRMXVMB1983 Fevre Dream]'' (Poseidon Press 1982)<br> |
N34 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDB1983 The 1983 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1983) | N34 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDB1983 The 1983 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1983) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |O||1984||O30 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1984 The 1984 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1984) | + | |O||[[Publisher:SFBC_1980-1984#1984|1984]]||O30 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?THNNLWRLDS1984 The 1984 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1984) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |P||1985||P035 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1985 The 1985 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1985) | + | |P||[[Publisher:SFBC_1985-1989#1985|1985]]||P035 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1985 The 1985 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1985) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |Q||1986||Q31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1986 The 1986 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1986) | + | |Q||[[Publisher:SFBC_1985-1989#1986|1986]]||Q31 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1986 The 1986 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1986) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |R||1987||R28 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1987 The 1987 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1987) | + | |R||[[Publisher:SFBC_1985-1989#1987|1987]]||R28 ''[http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?WBSF1987 The 1987 Annual World's Best SF]'' (DAW 1987) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |S||1988|| | + | |S||[[Publisher:SFBC_1985-1989#1988|1988]]|| |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} |
Revision as of 23:15, 3 October 2008
The gutter code was used by Doubleday, and their Science Fiction Book Club (SFBC), from 1958 to 1988 to indicate when a Book Club Edition (BCE) was printed. The codes are stamped into the gutter of one of the last printed pages of the publication. These publications do not state the printing date nor printing meaning the gutter code is the only way to date them reliably if secondary sources such as book club fliers are not available.
Please note that "gutter code" is an informal name used by book collectors. Doubleday and the SFBC have never formally acknowledged their existence.
The gutter code is a letter followed by two digits. The letter indicates the year and the two digits are the week of the year. Sometimes the components are reversed and you will see two digits followed by the letter.
Here is an example of the gutter code found in The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories published by Doubleday. In this case the gutter code H 03 translates to either January 1966 or January 1977. As the copyright is 1976 we can narrow this down to that this publication was printed in January 1977.
Note that for first printings the week of printing is one, or sometimes two, months before the month of release. Thus the gutter codes are at best, a useful guide to help date a publication. If possible, consult Locus' list of forthcoming books, and/or the book club's monthly fliers to better establish a publication's release date.
The gutter code can be useful for identifying when a publisher does a second print run. For example, Asimov's Foundation's Edge was first printed with "M36" and shortly afterwards with "M39". Both print runs were in September 1982 and presumably the "M36" copies may have more value for collectors as it's the earlier printing.
Sometimes the Book Club edition is the first edition and the gutter code will be useful in establishing that the book club edition was printed earlier than the retail/trade edition. As noted earlier, it should be emphasized though that the gutter code was the printing date and that the story is publicized or "released" a few weeks or months later. Thus a gutter code a few weeks before the retail/trade release offers only a hint, and does not prove that the book club edition was released first.
Here is a table to translate from the gutter code's letter to year. In 1970 Doubleday reset the letter code back to "A" but continued to use both the old and new lettering system throughout the 1970s. Thus you will also need to look at the copyright date to determine if the publication is coded using the first or second letter series. The Example Title column lists examples of known/verified gutter codes and also shows the stated publisher plus original copyright date. Note that while a publication may state a publisher it's believed that all of these were manufactured in Doubleday's plants.
The 1988 and 1989 issues of the Annual World's Best SF series do not have gutter codes.
Here is the translation the week number to a month. As many weeks span from the end of one month to the beginning of the next the translation is not exact.
Week Month 1 to 5 January 6 to 9 February 10 to 13 March 14 to 17 April 18 to 22 May 23 to 26 June 27 to 30 July 31 to 35 August 36 to 39 September 40 to 44 October 45 to 48 November 49 to 52 December
The boundary between July and August varies from year to year. If it's not a leap year then July runs from week 27 to 30 and August is 31 to 35. If it's a leap year then July runs from week 27 to 31 and August is 32 to 35. Thus if you have a publication with a week code of 31 then it's an early August printing for non-leap years and a late July printing for leap years (letter codes B, F, J, N/C, R--/G, K, O, and S are leap years).
Sources/references:
- SW - AbeBooks book seller who has been very helpful with filling in the details of the gutter code sytsem.
- The on line article Collecting the Science Fiction Book Club by Timothy Doyle which is excellent.