# Is "Airships" by Barry Hannah a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Airships by Barry Hannah (Alfred A. Knopf, 1978) is identified by: Tan/yellow paper over boards backed in navy cloth with gilt spine lettering; machine-deckled fore edge; light-blue topstain; octavo; dust jacket unclipped at 8.95; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with the Knopf borzoi colophon. The US Knopf 1978 edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tan/yellow paper over boards backed in navy cloth with gilt spine lettering; machine-deckled fore edge; light-blue topstain; octavo; dust jacket unclipped at 8.95; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with the Knopf borzoi colophon
- Hannah's first story collection
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Barry Hannah |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1978 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tan/yellow paper over boards backed in navy cloth with gilt spine lettering; machine-deckled fore edge; light-blue topstain; octavo; dust… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tan/yellow paper over boards backed in navy cloth with gilt spine lettering; machine-deckled fore edge; light-blue topstain; octavo; dust jacket unclipped at 8.95; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with the Knopf borzoi colophon. Hannah's first story collection.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf 1978 edition is the true first. The UK first follows.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month Club issue: blind-stamp to the rear board, no price on the jacket, and lacks the stated 'First Edition.'

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Airships* by Barry Hannah a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/airships
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.