How to identify a first printing
- Timetables are periodic serials identified by the issue MONTH and YEAR printed on the cover; the issue date is the identifier, not an edition or printing point.
- 1873-1900s: 'Cook's Continental Time Tables & Tourist's Handbook' began with the issue of March 1873; it was published quarterly until early 1883 and monthly thereafter, so early issues are identified by their cover date and collected as a dated serial run.
- 20th century-2013: the 'Thomas Cook European Timetable' (monthly) and 'Overseas Timetable'; the cover month/year is the identifier. The final Thomas Cook-branded European Timetable appeared in August 2013, after which the title was revived independently as the 'European Rail Timetable' (from 2014).
- Guidebooks (Thomas Cook Traveller/Travellers series, late 20th century): conventional copyright-page edition statement and number line, where the first printing shows the debut year and the lowest digit in the line.
Notable points & cautions
- 'Cook's Continental Time Tables' (first issue March 1873) is one of the most famous travel serials, collected by ISSUE DATE; it ran quarterly 1873-1883, then monthly.
- Serial vs. book distinction: timetables are dated issues; guidebooks are number-line editions.
- The Thomas Cook-branded European Timetable ended in August 2013; the publication was revived independently as the European Rail Timetable. (The wider Thomas Cook Group collapsed in 2019.)
- The long historic run makes early Continental Time Tables notable, with publication continuous since 1873 apart from World War II and a short 2013-14 gap.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Thomas Cook European Timetable / Overseas Timetable, Thomas Cook Traveller Guides, Cook's Continental Time Tables (historic). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Thomas Cook (Thomas Cook Publishing) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Timetables are periodic serials identified by the issue MONTH and YEAR printed on the cover; the issue date is the identifier, not an edition or printing point. 1873-1900s: 'Cook's Continental Time Tables & Tourist's Handbook' began with the issue of March 1873; it was published quarterly until early 1883 and monthly thereafter, so early issues are identified by their cover date and collected as a dated serial run.
Does Thomas Cook (Thomas Cook Publishing) use a number line?
1873-1900s: 'Cook's Continental Time Tables & Tourist's Handbook' began with the issue of March 1873; it was published quarterly until early 1883 and monthly thereafter, so early issues are identified by their cover date and collected as a dated serial run.
Is a book-club edition a Thomas Cook (Thomas Cook Publishing) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. 'Cook's Continental Time Tables' (first issue March 1873) is one of the most famous travel serials, collected by ISSUE DATE; it ran quarterly 1873-1883, then monthly.
What era does this cover?
This covers Thomas Cook (Thomas Cook Publishing) (1873-2013 (timetables)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.