How to identify a first printing
- 1887-c.1930 (Hegeler/Paul Carus era, La Salle IL): early philosophy and comparative-religion titles are identified by copyright year and the 'The Open Court Publishing Company' imprint; there is no number line, and many are first US editions of Carus's translations and studies (Buddhism, the Tao Te Ching). Distinguish printings by the stated copyright/printing year only.
- c.1930-c.1980: the copyright page states edition or printing; Library of Living Philosophers volumes carry their own series edition statements, so match the volume's stated edition.
- c.1980-present (modern Open Court / Carus): standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); copyright pages state 'First Edition' or 'First printing YYYY'. The Popular Culture and Philosophy series (from 2000) follows the same convention.
- general: Open Court historically acted as a printer-distributor as well, and early titles may carry La Salle plus Chicago/London (Kegan Paul) co-imprints; verify which issue is the true first.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1887 by zinc magnate Edward C. Hegeler; Paul Carus served as its first managing editor and edited The Open Court journal for decades. One of America's oldest philosophy houses.
- Famous series include The Library of Living Philosophers (begun by Paul Arthur Schilpp in 1939; Open Court has been its publisher since the late 1950s, after Northwestern and Tudor) and the modern Popular Culture and Philosophy series.
- Cricket children's magazine (founded 1973 by Marianne Carus) was published by Open Court until March 1995; Carus Publishing / Cricket Media is the related corporate lineage, separate from the philosophy book line.
- Early Carus translations on Buddhism and Taoism are sought-after first US editions; rely on copyright year plus the La Salle imprint.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Open Court, The Library of Living Philosophers (series), Popular Culture and Philosophy (series), The Monist / The Open Court (journals), Carus Publishing (parent), Cricket Books (children's, separate line). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Open Court Publishing Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1887-c.1930 (Hegeler/Paul Carus era, La Salle IL): early philosophy and comparative-religion titles are identified by copyright year and the 'The Open Court Publishing Company' imprint; there is no number line, and many are first US editions of Carus's translations and studies (Buddhism, the Tao Te Ching). Distinguish printings by the stated copyright/printing year only. c.1930-c.1980: the copyright page states edition or printing; Library of Living Philosophers volumes carry their own series edition statements, so match the volume's stated edition.
Does Open Court Publishing Company use a number line?
c.1930-c.1980: the copyright page states edition or printing; Library of Living Philosophers volumes carry their own series edition statements, so match the volume's stated edition.
Is a book-club edition a Open Court Publishing Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1887 by zinc magnate Edward C. Hegeler; Paul Carus served as its first managing editor and edited The Open Court journal for decades. One of America's oldest philosophy houses.
What era does this cover?
This covers Open Court Publishing Company (1887-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.