How to identify a first printing
- 1954-c.1985: Founded 1954 in Detroit by Frederick Gale Ruffner Jr. as a reference-only house (Encyclopedia of Associations from 1956, Contemporary Authors, Dictionary of Literary Biography). Multi-volume reference sets are identified by VOLUME NUMBER and EDITION/copyright year; there is generally no first-edition point system because each new edition supersedes the prior. First printing = absence of a later-printing notice.
- c.1985-present: A number line may appear on the copyright page (lowest digit = printing), but the meaningful unit for serial reference works is the edition number and volume number. Library-bound; the first-printing premium is effectively nil.
- Corporate eras: acquired by International Thomson/Thomson Corporation in 1985, branded Thomson Gale in the 2000s, then sold to Cengage in 2007 (Cengage Gale). The copyright-page imprint reflects the era's parent.
Notable points & cautions
- Quintessential reference publisher; collectors and librarians track edition currency, not first printings.
- Acquired the Scribner and Twayne reference lines plus St. James Press, and issues Macmillan Reference USA.
- Contemporary Authors and the Dictionary of Literary Biography are flagship continuing serials.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Gale Research, Gale Group, Gale (a Cengage company), St. James Press, Charles Scribner's Sons Reference (acquired), Macmillan Reference USA, Twayne Publishers, UXL, Greenhaven Press, Lucent Books, Thomson Gale (2000s). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Gale (Gale Research / Gale Group / Cengage Gale) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1954-c.1985: Founded 1954 in Detroit by Frederick Gale Ruffner Jr. as a reference-only house (Encyclopedia of Associations from 1956, Contemporary Authors, Dictionary of Literary Biography). Multi-volume reference sets are identified by VOLUME NUMBER and EDITION/copyright year; there is generally no first-edition point system because each new edition supersedes the prior. First printing = absence of a later-printing notice. c.1985-present: A number line may appear on the copyright page (lowest digit = printing), but the meaningful unit for serial reference works is the edition number and volume number. Library-bound; the first-printing premium is effectively nil.
Does Gale (Gale Research / Gale Group / Cengage Gale) use a number line?
c.1985-present: A number line may appear on the copyright page (lowest digit = printing), but the meaningful unit for serial reference works is the edition number and volume number. Library-bound; the first-printing premium is effectively nil.
Is a book-club edition a Gale (Gale Research / Gale Group / Cengage Gale) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Quintessential reference publisher; collectors and librarians track edition currency, not first printings.
What era does this cover?
This covers Gale (Gale Research / Gale Group / Cengage Gale) (1954-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.