How to Identify a Thames & Hudson First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Copyright page: 'First published in [year] by Thames & Hudson Ltd' (often phrased 'in the United Kingdom in [year]') is the core first-edition statement; a first shows that line and no subsequent 'Reprinted' or 'This edition' entries.
• Like most UK art houses, Thames & Hudson generally marks later printings by adding 'Reprinted [year]' lines rather than deleting from a number line, so a first equals no added reprint lines.
• Newer titles may carry a number line; where present, the lowest number indicates the printing.
• US issues often state 'First published in the United States of America in [year] by Thames & Hudson Inc.' and may be distributed by W. W. Norton, so a 'first US edition' can postdate the UK first.

Notable points & cautions

• World of Art (formerly 'World of Art Library') is a long-running uniform series with many reprints and revised editions, so verify the specific edition statement: a later revised World of Art volume is not the first.
• Thames & Hudson is the non-US/Canada distributor for many museum titles, so a T&H-distributed copy may be a co-edition of a US-published book rather than the true first.
• The UK-first versus US-first distinction matters for collectors; match the 'first published' country and year.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Thames & Hudson, World of Art series, Thames & Hudson / W. W. Norton (US co-publication), Photofile series (with Centre National de la Photographie), Thames & Hudson Australia. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Thames & Hudson book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Copyright page: 'First published in [year] by Thames & Hudson Ltd' (often phrased 'in the United Kingdom in [year]') is the core first-edition statement; a first shows that line and no subsequent 'Reprinted' or 'This edition' entries. Like most UK art houses, Thames & Hudson generally marks later printings by adding 'Reprinted [year]' lines rather than deleting from a number line, so a first equals no added reprint lines.

Does Thames & Hudson use a number line?

Like most UK art houses, Thames & Hudson generally marks later printings by adding 'Reprinted [year]' lines rather than deleting from a number line, so a first equals no added reprint lines.

Is a book-club edition a Thames & Hudson first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. World of Art (formerly 'World of Art Library') is a long-running uniform series with many reprints and revised editions, so verify the specific edition statement: a later revised World of Art volume is not the first.

What era does this cover?

This covers Thames & Hudson (1949-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.