A Comprehensive Guide
to the Various Printings of Each of
the Twenty-Eight Titles in the Random House Hardbound Trade Edition
"The T3I Guide" by Seth T. Smolinske
MOST RECENT UPDATE: January 13, 2022
As with any guide, updates are inevitable as new information is discovered. This guide is intended to be simple and easy to use and understand. While there are often seven or more pieces of information used to define each printing of each title, it is really only necessary for one to know the first two pieces of information in order to know EXACTLY which printing of a given book he is holding. This will be explained momentarily.
The first four, and sometimes five, pieces of information (or traits) for each printing of each title were recorded beginning in 2001 and there will very likely be little, if any, new information to add. The later traits weren't seriously recorded until beginning in January of 2009. As more books pass through my hands, the missing information will be filled in. The information found below is guaranteed as I have personally held and examined books which contain the traits documented. If you have a book with traits not documented on this list, it doesn't mean the book is a rare new discovery, it simply indicates that I haven't personally seen a copy which exhibits those traits since January of 2009. Most likely many such undocumented examples have passed through my hands and sales page prior to 2009.
To use and understand this guide you'll need to know that the information, or traits, for each printing of each title is presented in the following order:
1. Title designated by number. 1 = Terror Castle, 2 = Stuttering Parrot, etc. through to 28 = Deadly Double.
2. Number in parenthesis indicates the number of titles printed on the rear cover of the book.
3. Cover finish found on the book. M = Matte, SG = Semi-Glossy and G = Glossy.
4. Type of endpapers found in the book. BE = Blue cemetery endpapers and WE = White (blank) endpapers.
5. Is an ISBN present on/in the book?
6. Number of lines of text found on the copyright page.
7. Other potentially pertinent information.
8. Entries followed by "???" indicate that another collector has provided this information through our Ghost-to-Ghost Hook-Up and
it has not yet been verified by the editor of this guide.
Using the book "Terror Castle" as an example, we see below that there are currently twelve documented printings of this title in the Random House Hardback Trade Edition. The First Printing is most quickly identified and defined by 1(0a); the Second Printing is most quickly identified by 1(0b); etcetera. The Twelfth Printing is most quickly identified and defined by 1(22). As long as one understands what the numbers mean and has access to this guide (which is completely FREE to anyone with on-line access), one will know exactly which printing he has and the various traits associated with that printing.
Please feel free to print out this page for easy access and use. Just remember to check back every once in a while to make sure you have the most recent update. It is intended and hoped that on-line buyers and sellers will make use of this guide to accurately identify the books they are buying and selling. Buyers, ask that sellers use it, it will add some legitimacy to their descriptions - just show them where they can find this FREE, simple-to-use guide!
#1 Terror Castle: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
1(0a)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page. Text error on page 47. Uncut Eps. Stitched text block.
1(0b)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page. No text error on page 47. Cut Eps. Glued text block.
1(4)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(6)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(12)M/BE - No ISBN: 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(14)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(16)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
1(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 15 lines of text on copyright page.
1(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
1(22)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page, 14 lines of text on copyright page..
#2 Stuttering Parrot: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
2(0a)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. No author credit. Illustrations incorrectly credited to Ed
Vebell. Uncut endpapers. Stitched textblock. Wraparound cover art (dark spine).
2(0b)M/BE - CORRECTED FIRST PRINTING. No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Author credited. Illustrations
credited to Harry Kane. Uncut endpapers. Stitched textblock. Wraparound cover art (dark spine). In these
corrected first printings the original title page was carefully razored out and a corrected title page neatly
tipped-in by the publisher.
2(0c)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Author credited. Illustrations credited to Harry Kane. Cut eps.
Glued textblock. Wraparound cover art (dark spine).
2(4)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(6)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 12 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 12 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
2(23)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 12 lines of text on copyright page. Yellow spine.
#3 Whispering Mummy: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
3(0)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(4)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(6)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(14)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
3(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
3(20a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page. Rear cover list in orange ink.
3(20b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page. Rear cover list in the usual yellow ink.
3(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page.
3(23a)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page.
3(23b)M/WE - ISBN or rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page. (Editor's Note: It is surmised that some early,
unused text blocks were discovered and used. Correct number of pages with white endpapers.)
#4 Green Ghost: (No inner list observed in any printing except for the final one.)
4(0)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(4)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(6)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(12a)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(12b)M/BE - ISBN present on copyright page, NOT on rear cover: 15 lines of text on copyright page. LATER
PRINTING! (Editor's Note: It is assumed that some early covers were discovered and used up in
1971/72.)
4(14)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
4(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 15 lines of text on copyright page.
4(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
4(22)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
4(23)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
4(26)G/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page, 14 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list to #26.
#5 Vanishing Treasure: (Inner list to #6 in all but final printing.)
5(6a)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
5(6b)M/BE - ISBN present on copyright page, NOT on rear cover; 17 lines of text on copyright page. LATER PRINTING!
(Editor's Note: It is assumed that some early covers were discovered and used up in 1971/72.)
5(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
5(14)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
5(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
5(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 lines of text on copyright page (fills the page).
5(16c)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 16 lines of text on copyright page (top half of page).
5(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page.
5(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page.
5(23)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page.
5(26)G/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 13 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list to #26.
#6 Skeleton Island: (Inner list to #6 in all printings)
6(6)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 6 lines of text on copyright page.
6(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 scattered lines of text on copyright page. A correct page
count for the book (158 pages) is given in the copyright information.
6(16c)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 organized lines of text on copyright page. An incorrect
page count for the book (185 pages) is given in the copyright information.
6(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 organized lines of text on copyright page. An incorrect
page count for the book (185 pages) is given in the copyright information.
6(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 organized lines of text on copyright page. An incorrect
page count for the book (185 pages) is given in the copyright information.
#7 Fiery Eye: (Inner list to #8 in all printings. Rear cover list is printed in yellow ink with exceptions noted below.)
7(8)M/BE - No ISBN; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
7(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover & on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
7(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover & on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
7(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover & on copyright page; 16 lines of text on copyright page. Rear list in black ink.
7(22)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover & on copyright page; 16 lines of text on copyright page. Rear list in black ink.
7(23)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover & on copyright page; 16 lines of text on copyright page.
#8 Silver Spider: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
8(8)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
8(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
8(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
8(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
8(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
8(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 17 lines of text on copyright page.
8(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
8(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 14 lines of text on copyright page.
#9 Screaming Clock: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
9(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(16)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
9(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 18 lines of text on copyright page.
9(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 18 lines of text on copyright page.
#10 Moaning Cave: (Inner list to #10 in all printings. Rear cover list printed in white ink with exception noted.)
10(10)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(14)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page. Rear cover list printed in yellow ink.
10(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page. Rear cover list printed in the usual white ink.
10(16c)SG/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(20a)SG/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(20b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
10(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 16 lines of text on copyright page.
#11 Talking Skull: (Inner list to #12 observed in all printings.)
11(12)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
11(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
11(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
11(16)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 8 lines of text on copyright page.
11(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 20 lines of text on copyright page.
11(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 20 lines of text on copyright page.
11(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 20 lines of text on copyright page.
11(23)G/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 20 lines of text on copyright page.
#12 Laughing Shadow: (Inner list to #12 observed in all printings.)
12(12a)M/BE - No ISBN; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(12b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(12c)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page. LATER PRINTING!
(Editor's Note: It is assumed that some early covers were discovered and used up in 1972 or later.)
12(14a)M/BE - No ISBN: 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(16a)SG/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 9 lines of text on copyright page.
12(16c)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
12(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
12(22)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
#13 Crooked Cat: (Inner list to #14 observed in all but the final printing.)
13(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page
13(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
13(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
13(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page;19 lines of text on copyright page.
13(18)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
13(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 19 lines of text on copyright page.
13(22)M/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 15 lines of text on copyright page.
13(26)G/WE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 15 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list to #26.
#14 Coughing Dragon: (Inner list to #14 observed in all printings.)
14(14a)M/BE - No ISBN; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
14(14b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
14(16a)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover only; 7 lines of text on copyright page.
14(16b)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 21 lines of text on copyright page.
14(16c)SG/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 21 lines of text on copyright page.
14(20)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 29 scattered lines of text on copyright page.
14(22)M/BE - ISBN on rear cover and on copyright page; 15 organized lines of text on copyright page.
An ISBN should be present on both the rear cover and on the copyright page of every printing of every book from this point on to the end of the series.
#15 Flaming Footprints: (Inner list to #16 observed in all printings.)
15(16a)M/BE - 9 lines of text on copyright page (no summary).
15(16b)M/BE - 25 scattered lines of text on the copyright page (with summary). Summary which appears in this and
all succeeding printings: "When an eccentric local artist disappears suddenly, the three investigators
look into the matter."
15(20)M/BE - 25 scattered lines of text on copyright page.
15(22)M/BE - 16 organized lines of text on copyright page.
#16 Nervous Lion: (Inner list to #16 observed in all but the final printing.)
16(16a)M/BE - 8 lines of text on copyright page (no summary). Number "16" on spine is white.
16(16b)M/BE - 22 scattered lines of text on copyright page (with summary). Summary: "A trio of boys who call them-
selves "The Three Investigators" are recruited by the famous author-producer-director, Alfred Hitchcock,
to determine why a lion, an important cast member in a new jungle movie, is always so nervous."
Number "16" on spine can be white or green.
16(16c)M/BE - 23 scattered lines of text on copyright page (with summary). New Summary which appears in this and
all succeeding printings: "Hired to discover why a wild-animal farm's tame lion has become unpredict-
ably nervous, three young detectives begin an investigation that uncovers a smuggling operation."
Number "16" on spine can be white or green.
16(16d)M/BE - 23 scattered lines of text on copyright page with New Summary. Number "16" on spine is green.
16(20)M/BE - 16 organized lines of text on copyright page with the New Summary. Number "16" on spine is green.
16(22)M/BE - 16 organized lines of text on copyright page with the New Summary. Number "16" on spine is green.
16(26)G/WE - 16 organized lines of text on copyright page with the New Summary. Inner list to #26. Number "16" on
spine is green.
#17 Singing Serpent: (No inner list observed in any printing.)
17(16)M/BE - 17 lines of text on copyright page.
17(20a)M/BE - 17 lines of text on copyright page.
17(20b)M/WE - 17 lines of text on copyright page.
17(22)M/WE - 17 lines of text on copyright page.
17(26)G/WE - 17 lines of text on copyright page.
#18 Shrinking House: (Inner list to #18 observed in all printings.)
18(16)M/BE - 16 lines of text on copyright page.
18(20)M/BE - 16 lines of text on copyright page.
18(22)M/BE - 16 lines of text on copyright page.
#19 Phantom Lake:
19(20a)M/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list contains only titles #17-20.
19(20b)M/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list contains titles #1-20.
19(22a)M/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list contains titles #1-20.
19(22b)G/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page. Inner list contains titles #1-20.
#20 Monster Mountain:
20(20)M/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page; inner list to #20.
20(22a)M/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page; inner list to #20.
20(22b)G/BE - 14 lines of text on copyright page; inner list to #20.
#21 Haunted Mirror:
21(22a)M/BE - Number-line on copyright page: "1234567890" = First Printing. No inner list.
21(22b)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page: "234567890" = Second Printing. No inner list.
21(23)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page: "34567890" = Third Printing. No inner list.
#22 Dead Man's Riddle:
22(22a)M/BE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. No inner list.
22(22b)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 234567890 indicating a Second Printing. No inner list.
22(23a)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 34567890 indicating a Third Printing. No inner list.
22(23b)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 4567890 indicating a Fourth Printing. No inner list.
#23 Invisible Dog:
23(23)M/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. No inner list.
#24 Death Trap Mine:
24(25)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. No inner list.
#25 Dancing Devil:
25(25a)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. Inner list to #25.
25(25b)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 4567890 indicating a Fourth Printing*.
*Since 1998, I have never found a hardbound trade edition of this title having a number-line which
indicates a Second or
#26 Headless Horse:
26(26a)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. Inner list to #26.
26(26b)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 234567890 indicating a Second Printing. Inner list to #26.
26(26c)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 4567890 indicating a Fourth Printing*. Inner list to #28.
*Since 1998, I have never found a hardbound trade edition of this title having a number-line which
indicates a Third Printing.
#27 Magic Circle:
27(28)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. Inner list to #28.
#28 Deadly Double:
28(28)G/WE - Number-line on copyright page reads 1234567890 indicating a First Printing. Inner list to #28.
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