How to identify a first printing
- Pre-2007 (as Thomson Learning): Technical and reference titles are identified by edition statement plus copyright year; a number line, where present, indicates the printing (lowest surviving digit = printing).
- 2007-present (Cengage): The number line is standard on the copyright page (lowest surviving digit = printing). For continuously revised technical and reference texts the EDITION number is the identification unit. Course Technology (computing/certification) and Delmar (trades) follow this convention.
- The Gale reference imprint under Cengage is identified by edition, volume, and year — see the separate Gale entry.
Notable points & cautions
- Formed when a private-equity consortium bought Thomson Learning's education assets and renamed it Cengage Learning in July 2007; it houses the Gale reference line.
- Technical, certification, and trades focus — currency of edition is the practical value driver, not first-printing points.
- The number line is the printing tell; the edition number is the identification unit.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Cengage, Course Technology, Gale (reference; see separate entry), Delmar (technical/trade), South-Western, Wadsworth, Thomson Learning (former name). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Cengage Learning (reference/technical, incl. Course Technology) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-2007 (as Thomson Learning): Technical and reference titles are identified by edition statement plus copyright year; a number line, where present, indicates the printing (lowest surviving digit = printing). 2007-present (Cengage): The number line is standard on the copyright page (lowest surviving digit = printing). For continuously revised technical and reference texts the EDITION number is the identification unit. Course Technology (computing/certification) and Delmar (trades) follow this convention.
Does Cengage Learning (reference/technical, incl. Course Technology) use a number line?
2007-present (Cengage): The number line is standard on the copyright page (lowest surviving digit = printing). For continuously revised technical and reference texts the EDITION number is the identification unit. Course Technology (computing/certification) and Delmar (trades) follow this convention.
Is a book-club edition a Cengage Learning (reference/technical, incl. Course Technology) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Formed when a private-equity consortium bought Thomson Learning's education assets and renamed it Cengage Learning in July 2007; it houses the Gale reference line.
What era does this cover?
This covers Cengage Learning (reference/technical, incl. Course Technology) (2007-present (lineage to Thomson Learning)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.