I have a question concerning modern reprints.
If a publication is an exact photo-lithographic copy of an out of print
typeset book that was never previously reprinted in any form, would the
new version be technically a second edition
"Second edition" means a new typesetting.
or a second printing
"Second printing" means that the same typesetting was used.
of the
first (and only) edition?
So...I can't imagine why it would be anything but "photo reproduction
of first edition."
So often I see this issue skirted by the
descriptive phrase "first edition as such".
"First thus" typically refers to a new typesetting of the same basic
text, but with a significant change/addition, e.g., illustrations by
a new illustrator; new introduction; etc.
I'm not sure how/if the notions of edition/printing/issue change
after the era of metal typesetting, but, even then, I'm not sure why
an exact photocopy of issue X of printing Y of edition Z would be
called anything but "photo reproduction of issue X of printing Y of edition Z."
BTW, how are these notions defined in the computer typesetting era?
With reference to the digital file rather than to a type imposition?