The points of issue
First printing has the 'A' with 1964 imprint (posthumous); first-issue dust jacket priced the printed price. The Scribner's seal present.
Is this the true first?
US Scribner's 1964 'A' first is the true first; UK (Cape, 1964) follows. Posthumous, so no author-signed first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club copies lack the 'A' and are blind-stamped; jackets unpriced.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Moveable Feast a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the 'A' with 1964 imprint (posthumous); first-issue dust jacket priced the printed price. The Scribner's seal present.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US Scribner's 1964 'A' first is the true first; UK (Cape, 1964) follows. Posthumous, so no author-signed first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club copies lack the 'A' and are blind-stamped; jackets unpriced.
I have a first edition of A Moveable Feast — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.