5 Alice Walker first editions are documented on this shelf, from Once: Poems (1968) to The Color Purple (1982) across 2 different publishers. Each linked guide gives the points of issue that separate a true first printing of that Alice Walker title from later printings and book-club copies — the publisher and year to expect, the number-line or edition-statement conventions, and the tells that show up in online listings.
Identification only, per the house rule: no prices and no appraisals here. Checking a Alice Walker copy in hand? Type the title into the First-Edition Checker or photograph the copyright page with Snap & Sort.
- Once: Poems — 1968 · Harcourt, Brace & WorldWalker's first book. Published by Harcourt, Brace & World in 1968; cloth-backed boards, 81 pp. Copyright page carries the year and a stated First edition with no later-printing statement. Original dust jacket with the price unclipped. US Harcourt, Brace & World 1968 is the true first; no simultaneous UK edition. The author's debut, scarce in a fine jacket. Later printings drop the First edition statement and add a printing line; price-clipped or facsimile jackets are common on resold copies.
- The Third Life of Grange Copeland — 1970 · Harcourt Brace JovanovichWalker's second book and first novel. Paper-covered boards over a red cloth spine, titles stamped in silver; 247 pp. Copyright page states First edition. Original dust jacket priced and unclipped on the front flap. US HBJ 1970 is the true first. 1970 is the transition year when the letter-line system was just being introduced, so the reliable point is the stated First edition together with a first-state priced jacket rather than a specific letter line. Beware the later HBJ reissue that adds a 1988 afterword copyright; that is not the 1970 first. Later printings drop the First edition statement.
- In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women — 1973 · Harcourt Brace JovanovichWalker's first story collection; first book appearance of 'Everyday Use.' Copyright page states First edition with the letter line B C D E. For Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in the 1973-1983 window the 'A' was deliberately omitted, so 'First edition / B C D E' is the correct first-printing state, not a later printing. US HBJ 1973 is the true first. Key point: for Harcourt 1973-1983, a stated 'First edition' with the line 'B C D E' is the first printing. Later printings shorten the line to 'C D E', 'D E', and so on and drop the First edition statement; resold copies often lack the priced first-state jacket.
- Meridian — 1976 · Harcourt Brace JovanovichTwo-tone cloth with gilt spine titles; orange dust jacket, unclipped. Copyright page states First edition together with the letter line B C D E. Within the 1973-1983 Harcourt window the omitted 'A' is correct, so 'First edition / B C D E' is the true first printing. US HBJ 1976 is the true first; a stated 'First edition' WITH the 'B C D E' line is the correct first-printing state for this window. Caution: a copy showing 'B C D E' but lacking the stated 'First edition' is a later printing, not the first. Later printings further shorten the letter line; resold copies often lack the orange topstain or the priced jacket.
- The Color Purple — 1982 · Harcourt Brace JovanovichThe first edition, first printing carries the HBJ printing-code letter string 'B C D E' on the copyright page (the 'A' being absent). It is bound in publisher's boards over purple cloth spine lettered in silver. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed price on the front flap, shows only a single publisher address on the rear flap (later printings add a San Diego address), and has its rear panel…. US Harcourt Brace Jovanovich is the true first; the UK Women's Press edition (1983) is later. The 'B C D E' letter code, single-address rear flap, and absence of any Pulitzer mention on the jacket are the points. The book-club edition lacks the 'B C D E' code, bears a blind-stamp on the rear board, uses bulkier paper, and carries a jacket with no printed price.
More Literary Fiction (US) & Award Winners shelves: A.M. Homes, Amy Hempel, Ana Castillo, Andre Dubus, Andrea Barrett, Andy Weir.
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