How to identify a first printing
- 1879-c.1960: Founded 1879 by Frank Allston Davis; a medical, nursing, and allied-health house. On continuously revised references the EDITION statement on the title page is the identification unit, and a first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing or impression notice on the copyright page.
- c.1960-present: A number line, where present, indicates the printing (lowest digit shown = that printing). For flagship references that are reissued by edition (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Davis's Drug Guide), the edition number rather than a 'First Edition' slug is what collectors and users key on.
Notable points & cautions
- Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, first published by the firm in 1940, is the flagship and is collected and used by edition.
- One of the oldest independent, family-managed medical publishers in America, still independent and based in Philadelphia.
- Nursing- and allied-health-market focus; identification turns on edition currency rather than printing slugs.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: F. A. Davis, Davis, Davis's (nursing/medical references). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my F. A. Davis Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1879-c.1960: Founded 1879 by Frank Allston Davis; a medical, nursing, and allied-health house. On continuously revised references the EDITION statement on the title page is the identification unit, and a first printing is indicated by the absence of any later-printing or impression notice on the copyright page. c.1960-present: A number line, where present, indicates the printing (lowest digit shown = that printing). For flagship references that are reissued by edition (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Davis's Drug Guide), the edition number rather than a 'First Edition' slug is what collectors and users key on.
Does F. A. Davis Company use a number line?
c.1960-present: A number line, where present, indicates the printing (lowest digit shown = that printing). For flagship references that are reissued by edition (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Davis's Drug Guide), the edition number rather than a 'First Edition' slug is what collectors and users key on.
Is a book-club edition a F. A. Davis Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, first published by the firm in 1940, is the flagship and is collected and used by edition.
What era does this cover?
This covers F. A. Davis Company (1879-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.