How to identify a first printing
- 1869-1920s: official publisher of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, with much early output in German. No number line; identify firsts by copyright year, German vs. English text, and absence of a reprint or 'Auflage' notice. German editions may state 'Auflage' (edition/printing) numbering as the printing tell.
- 1920s-1960s: English output grows; explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. Copyright year plus absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first. The American Edition of 'Luther's Works' (CPH with Fortress, from the mid-1950s) has volume-by-volume firsts identified by first copyright year and absence of a 'reprinted' line.
- 1960s-1980s: printing statements and printing-history lines, with later printings noted by an added line or year.
- 1980s-present: standard number line on the copyright page; lowest digit present equals the printing. CPH typically prints a year line plus a 1-through-n impression line; presence of 1 indicates a first printing.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1869; the publishing house of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) — conservative/confessional Lutheran, distinct from the ELCA/predecessor bodies' Augsburg Fortress. The oldest publishing company west of the Mississippi.
- Co-publisher (with Fortress/Muhlenberg) of the 55-volume American Edition of Luther's Works (planning began in the early 1950s, publication mid-1950s onward); CPH produced a substantial share of the volumes, which are heavily reprinted, so firsts require care.
- Large body of German-language Lutheran material from the 19th to early 20th c.; 'Auflage' numbering is the German-era printing tell.
- Publisher of 'The Lutheran Hymnal' (1941) and Synod catechetical/liturgical materials with their own printing histories, plus 'Portals of Prayer'.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Concordia (CPH), Concordia Academic Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Concordia Publishing House book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1869-1920s: official publisher of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, with much early output in German. No number line; identify firsts by copyright year, German vs. English text, and absence of a reprint or 'Auflage' notice. German editions may state 'Auflage' (edition/printing) numbering as the printing tell. 1920s-1960s: English output grows; explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. Copyright year plus absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first. The American Edition of 'Luther's Works' (CPH with Fortress, from the mid-1950s) has volume-by-volume firsts identified by first copyright year and absence of a 'reprinted' line.
Does Concordia Publishing House use a number line?
1920s-1960s: English output grows; explicit printing statements appear inconsistently. Copyright year plus absence of a later-printing notice indicates a first. The American Edition of 'Luther's Works' (CPH with Fortress, from the mid-1950s) has volume-by-volume firsts identified by first copyright year and absence of a 'reprinted' line.
Is a book-club edition a Concordia Publishing House first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1869; the publishing house of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) — conservative/confessional Lutheran, distinct from the ELCA/predecessor bodies' Augsburg Fortress. The oldest publishing company west of the Mississippi.
What era does this cover?
This covers Concordia Publishing House (1869-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.