How to identify a first printing
- 1848-c.1940: Founded 1848 by David Van Nostrand; scientific, technical, military, and engineering reference (the 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' began in 1938). Early titles generally carried no first-printing statement, so a first printing is inferred from the absence of any later-printing or later-impression notice; later printings and editions were explicitly noted.
- c.1940-1968: Edition statements appear on revised references, and a number line was adopted gradually (lowest surviving digit = printing where present). 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' is identified by its edition.
- 1968-c.1997 (Van Nostrand Reinhold): In 1968 Litton acquired D. Van Nostrand and Chapman-Reinhold and merged them into Van Nostrand Reinhold; STM/technical and art/architecture titles under the VNR imprint follow contemporary number-line convention. The line passed to International Thomson and was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in 1997.
Notable points & cautions
- 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' (from 1938) is the flagship reference — collected and cited by edition.
- The 1968 Litton merger that created Van Nostrand Reinhold dates the later era; the line was later dispersed and finally absorbed by Wiley in 1997.
- Nineteenth-century scientific and technical firsts are identified by the absence of a later-impression notice.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: D. Van Nostrand, Van Nostrand, Van Nostrand Reinhold (post-1968), Litton Educational (parent era). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my D. Van Nostrand Company book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1848-c.1940: Founded 1848 by David Van Nostrand; scientific, technical, military, and engineering reference (the 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' began in 1938). Early titles generally carried no first-printing statement, so a first printing is inferred from the absence of any later-printing or later-impression notice; later printings and editions were explicitly noted. c.1940-1968: Edition statements appear on revised references, and a number line was adopted gradually (lowest surviving digit = printing where present). 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' is identified by its edition.
Does D. Van Nostrand Company use a number line?
c.1940-1968: Edition statements appear on revised references, and a number line was adopted gradually (lowest surviving digit = printing where present). 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' is identified by its edition.
Is a book-club edition a D. Van Nostrand Company first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. 'Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia' (from 1938) is the flagship reference — collected and cited by edition.
What era does this cover?
This covers D. Van Nostrand Company (1848-c.1997 (as active imprint)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.