The points of issue
First book edition; Viking number line down to 1; priced dust jacket. Slim volume. The text first appeared, in slightly different form, in New American Review (1968) as 'The Cat in the Hat for President.'
Is this the true first?
True first in book form is the 1980 Viking edition; the text predates it as a 1968 periodical appearance.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable; an uncorrected proof exists and should not be confused with the first trade edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Political Fable a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First book edition; Viking number line down to 1; priced dust jacket. Slim volume. The text first appeared, in slightly different form, in New American Review (1968) as 'The Cat in the Hat for President.'
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. True first in book form is the 1980 Viking edition; the text predates it as a 1968 periodical appearance.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable; an uncorrected proof exists and should not be confused with the first trade edition.
I have a first edition of A Political Fable — 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.