How to identify a first printing
- Origin 1903-c.1970: The Chemical Rubber Company was founded in 1903 in Cleveland, Ohio (by the Friedman brothers) as a rubber-laboratory-supply firm; its publishing arm became CRC Press. It is famous for the 'CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics', which grew from a short Rubber Handbook first issued around 1913-1914. The handbook and other reference works are identified by EDITION number and year and are collected or used by edition, not by first-printing points; the first printing of an edition is indicated by the absence of a later-printing notice.
- c.1970-2003: Expanded into engineering and science monographs and references (acquiring Lewis Publishers and the Auerbach line); a number line where present uses the lowest digit for the printing, while the edition statement governs revised references. The publishing operation moved to Florida (Boca Raton).
- Post-2003: Acquired by Taylor & Francis (an Informa subsidiary); modern titles carry the CRC/Taylor & Francis imprint and house number-line style, and CRC is now also presented under Routledge/Taylor & Francis branding.
Notable points & cautions
- The periodically revised 'CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics' (grown from a Rubber Handbook of c.1913-1914) is a landmark reference; the edition number is the key, and it has reached over 100 editions.
- Now a Taylor & Francis imprint (Informa).
- Reference and handbook focus — usefulness and value track edition currency.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: CRC Press, Chemical Rubber Company (origin), Lewis Publishers (acquired), Auerbach, Taylor & Francis / CRC (current). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my CRC Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Origin 1903-c.1970: The Chemical Rubber Company was founded in 1903 in Cleveland, Ohio (by the Friedman brothers) as a rubber-laboratory-supply firm; its publishing arm became CRC Press. It is famous for the 'CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics', which grew from a short Rubber Handbook first issued around 1913-1914. The handbook and other reference works are identified by EDITION number and year and are collected or used by edition, not by first-printing points; the first printing of an edition is indicated by the absence of a later-printing notice. c.1970-2003: Expanded into engineering and science monographs and references (acquiring Lewis Publishers and the Auerbach line); a number line where present uses the lowest digit for the printing, while the edition statement governs revised references. The publishing operation moved to Florida (Boca Raton).
Does CRC Press use a number line?
c.1970-2003: Expanded into engineering and science monographs and references (acquiring Lewis Publishers and the Auerbach line); a number line where present uses the lowest digit for the printing, while the edition statement governs revised references. The publishing operation moved to Florida (Boca Raton).
Is a book-club edition a CRC Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. The periodically revised 'CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics' (grown from a Rubber Handbook of c.1913-1914) is a landmark reference; the edition number is the key, and it has reached over 100 editions.
What era does this cover?
This covers CRC Press (1903-present (Taylor & Francis imprint)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.