How to Identify a Prentice Hall (technical/STM & reference) First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• 1913-c.1960: Founded 13 October 1913 by Charles Gerstenberg and Richard Ettinger (the name combines their mothers' maiden names, Prentice and Hall). College, technical, and professional reference. Firsts on trade and textbook titles are generally identified by the absence of a later-printing notice and by the edition statement; the firm did not consistently print a 'First Edition' slug on STM titles.
• c.1960-present: A number line on the copyright page is the standard printing indicator (lowest digit = printing). Prentice Hall PTR computing/engineering titles are identified by edition number together with the number line.
• For continuously revised technical references the edition number is the identification unit, not a 'First Edition' statement.

Notable points & cautions

• The PTR division published landmark computing and engineering texts, notably Kernighan & Ritchie's 'The C Programming Language' (first edition February 1978) — a celebrated STM first identified by issue points and printing notice.
• Independent through most of the 20th century; acquired by Gulf+Western (Simon & Schuster) in 1984 and sold to Pearson in 1998.
• Distinguish the K-12/school division from the higher-education and PTR professional/technical division.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Prentice Hall / Prentice-Hall, Prentice Hall PTR (Professional Technical Reference), Pearson (current owner of the higher-education and technical/professional list), Reward Books, Parker Publishing. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Prentice Hall (technical/STM & reference) book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. 1913-c.1960: Founded 13 October 1913 by Charles Gerstenberg and Richard Ettinger (the name combines their mothers' maiden names, Prentice and Hall). College, technical, and professional reference. Firsts on trade and textbook titles are generally identified by the absence of a later-printing notice and by the edition statement; the firm did not consistently print a 'First Edition' slug on STM titles. c.1960-present: A number line on the copyright page is the standard printing indicator (lowest digit = printing). Prentice Hall PTR computing/engineering titles are identified by edition number together with the number line.

Does Prentice Hall (technical/STM & reference) use a number line?

c.1960-present: A number line on the copyright page is the standard printing indicator (lowest digit = printing). Prentice Hall PTR computing/engineering titles are identified by edition number together with the number line.

Is a book-club edition a Prentice Hall (technical/STM & reference) first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. The PTR division published landmark computing and engineering texts, notably Kernighan & Ritchie's 'The C Programming Language' (first edition February 1978) — a celebrated STM first identified by issue points and printing notice.

What era does this cover?

This covers Prentice Hall (technical/STM & reference) (1913-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.