How to identify a first printing
- 1972-c.2000 (founded 1972, UK naval and maritime specialist): the copyright page states 'First published [year] by Conway Maritime Press' with no reprint line on a first; later printings add 'Reprinted [year]' lines. A sole 'First published' statement indicates the first.
- Reference series such as 'Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships' are issued in dated volumes by coverage span (e.g. 1860-1905, 1906-1921); the volume's coverage period and first-published date identify the first, with later impressions noting reprints.
- c.2000s-present (under Anova, then Bloomsbury from 2014): the 'First published'/reprint-line convention continues; 'Anatomy of the Ship' titles are occasionally reissued in revised form, stated explicitly.
Notable points & cautions
- An authoritative naval reference publisher ('All the World's Fighting Ships', 'Anatomy of the Ship'); firsts of out-of-print Anatomy volumes are collected.
- The 'Anatomy of the Ship' series was published in conjunction with the US Naval Institute Press, which issued its own American editions of many titles.
- Acquired by Bloomsbury from Anova in 2014, joining its Adlard Coles Nautical list; the Conway imprint persists for naval titles.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Conway Maritime Press, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships (reference series), Anatomy of the Ship series. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Conway Maritime Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1972-c.2000 (founded 1972, UK naval and maritime specialist): the copyright page states 'First published [year] by Conway Maritime Press' with no reprint line on a first; later printings add 'Reprinted [year]' lines. A sole 'First published' statement indicates the first. Reference series such as 'Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships' are issued in dated volumes by coverage span (e.g. 1860-1905, 1906-1921); the volume's coverage period and first-published date identify the first, with later impressions noting reprints.
Does Conway Maritime Press use a number line?
Reference series such as 'Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships' are issued in dated volumes by coverage span (e.g. 1860-1905, 1906-1921); the volume's coverage period and first-published date identify the first, with later impressions noting reprints.
Is a book-club edition a Conway Maritime Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. An authoritative naval reference publisher ('All the World's Fighting Ships', 'Anatomy of the Ship'); firsts of out-of-print Anatomy volumes are collected.
What era does this cover?
This covers Conway Maritime Press (1972-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.