How to identify a first printing
- 1938-c.1990 (founded 1938 by Felix Cornell to supply U.S. Merchant Marine textbooks): standard merchant-marine, seamanship, and navigation references. A first printing carries no later-printing notation; later printings add a 'Second printing' or revised-edition statement. A first equals the sole copyright date with no reprint line.
- Long-running professional reference titles (merchant-marine license study guides and seamanship texts) were revised across many editions. For these the EDITION number or date is the key identifier, and a first printing of a given edition has no later-printing line beneath that edition's statement.
- 2009-present (acquired by Schiffer Publishing of Atglen, Pennsylvania): post-acquisition reissues follow Schiffer's house number-line convention. The original Centreville/Cambridge, Maryland imprint signals the independent Cornell era.
Notable points & cautions
- A standard professional-mariner publisher through much of the 20th century, where revised editions of license-prep and seamanship texts matter more than collector 'firsts'.
- Tidewater Publishers covered Chesapeake Bay regional maritime subjects and folklore.
- Now an imprint within the Schiffer Publishing portfolio (Cornell Maritime Press / Tidewater Publishers).
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Cornell Maritime Press, Tidewater Publishers (regional Chesapeake line). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Cornell Maritime Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1938-c.1990 (founded 1938 by Felix Cornell to supply U.S. Merchant Marine textbooks): standard merchant-marine, seamanship, and navigation references. A first printing carries no later-printing notation; later printings add a 'Second printing' or revised-edition statement. A first equals the sole copyright date with no reprint line. Long-running professional reference titles (merchant-marine license study guides and seamanship texts) were revised across many editions. For these the EDITION number or date is the key identifier, and a first printing of a given edition has no later-printing line beneath that edition's statement.
Does Cornell Maritime Press use a number line?
Long-running professional reference titles (merchant-marine license study guides and seamanship texts) were revised across many editions. For these the EDITION number or date is the key identifier, and a first printing of a given edition has no later-printing line beneath that edition's statement.
Is a book-club edition a Cornell Maritime Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A standard professional-mariner publisher through much of the 20th century, where revised editions of license-prep and seamanship texts matter more than collector 'firsts'.
What era does this cover?
This covers Cornell Maritime Press (1938-present (independent until 2009)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.