The points of issue
First printing; short-story collection. Title page reads An American Dream Girl and Other Stories.
Is this the true first?
US first edition, published by The Vanguard Press, New York, 1950.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Vanguard indicated subsequent printings on the copyright page; a true first printing carries no later-printing notice.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of An American Dream Girl a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing; short-story collection. Title page reads An American Dream Girl and Other Stories.
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 first edition, published by The Vanguard Press, New York, 1950.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Vanguard indicated subsequent printings on the copyright page; a true first printing carries no later-printing notice.
I have a first edition of An American Dream Girl — 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.