11 Lee Smith first editions are documented on this shelf, from The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed (1968) to Saving Grace (1995) across 2 different publishers. Each linked guide gives the points of issue that separate a true first printing of that Lee Smith 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 Lee Smith copy in hand? Type the title into the First-Edition Checker or photograph the copyright page with Snap & Sort.
- The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed — 1968 · Harper & RowThe first printing has the words First Edition stated on the copyright page, the Harper & Row convention from 1922 into the early 1970s (number lines did not appear until 1975). Harper books of this era also carry a two-letter month-and-year printing code on the copyright page that can confirm a 1968 printing. First-issue jacket priced on the front flap. The author's first novel. The US Harper & Row edition is the true first; no prior edition. Later printings remove the First Edition statement and/or carry a later month-and-year code; no significant book-club edition recorded.
- Something in the Wind — 1971 · Harper & RowThe first printing has First Edition stated on the copyright page per Harper & Row practice of the period (number lines began only in 1975); the copyright page also carries a two-letter month-and-year printing code consistent with a 1971 printing. First-issue jacket priced on the front flap. Her second book. The US Harper & Row edition is the true first. Later printings drop the First Edition statement or show a later code; no significant book-club edition recorded.
- Fancy Strut — 1973 · Harper & RowThe first printing has First Edition stated on the copyright page (Harper & Row convention before the 1975 switch to number lines); the copyright page also bears a two-letter month-and-year printing code consistent with 1973. First-issue jacket priced on the front flap. A scarce Smith title. The US Harper & Row edition is the true first. Later printings remove the First Edition statement or show a later code; no significant book-club edition recorded.
- Black Mountain Breakdown — 1980 · G. P. Putnam's SonsFor Putnam in this era (1960 to 1988) the first printing carries NO printing statement on the copyright page; later printings add 'second (third, etc.) impression.' There is no number line on a 1980 Putnam first (Putnam number lines began only around 1989). First-issue jacket priced on the front flap, with the Putnam imprint on the title page and spine. The US G. P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first. No significant book-club edition is documented for this title; identify the trade first by the absence of any later-impression statement rather than by a club blind-stamp.
- Cakewalk — 1981 · G. P. Putnam's SonsPutnam first-printing convention of the period (1960 to 1988): the copyright page bears NO later-printing statement, while reprints add 'second impression,' etc. No number line on a 1981 Putnam first. First issue is quarterbound in cream paper over boards with a green cloth spine and gilt lettering, in a first-issue jacket priced on the front flap. Her first short-story collection. The US G. P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first; first appearance in book form for these stories. No significant book-club edition is documented for this title; identify the trade first by the absence of any later-impression statement.
- Oral History — 1983 · G. P. Putnam's SonsPutnam first-printing convention of the period (1960 to 1988): the first printing carries NO later-printing statement on the copyright page; reprints add 'second impression,' etc. There is no number line on a 1983 Putnam first (Putnam number lines began only around 1989). First-issue jacket priced on the front flap. Her breakthrough novel. The US G. P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first; the UK edition follows. Oral History was a Book-of-the-Month Club featured selection; the club edition is typically identified by a blind-stamp on the rear board and a jacket lacking the flap price. Distinguish the trade first from the club issue carefully.
- Family Linen — 1985 · G. P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing carries the Putnam convention of a complete number line including the digit 1 on the copyright page, with no stated later printing. Issued in a price-clipped-vulnerable dust jacket with the price printed on the front flap. US Putnam edition is the true first. Book club editions are typically slightly smaller, lack the number line, and have a blind stamp to the rear board with no price on the jacket flap.
- Fair and Tender Ladies — 1988 · G. P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing carries a complete number line including the digit 1 on the copyright page, with no later-printing statement. Blue cloth boards in a pictorial dust jacket with the price on the front flap. First printing is noted as elusive. US Putnam edition is the true first; the UK Macmillan edition followed in 1989. Book club editions lack the number line and the flap price and may carry a rear-board blind stamp.
- Me and My Baby View the Eclipse — 1990 · G. P. Putnam's SonsStory collection (subtitled Stories). First printing carries a complete number line including the digit 1 on the copyright page, with the price on the dust-jacket front flap. US Putnam edition is the true first appearance of this collection. Book club editions lack the number line and flap price and may carry a rear-board blind stamp.
- The Devil's Dream — 1992 · G. P. Putnam's SonsNovel of a country-music family. First printing carries a complete number line including the digit 1 on the copyright page, with the price on the dust-jacket front flap. US Putnam edition is the true first. Book club editions lack the number line and flap price and may carry a rear-board blind stamp.
- Saving Grace — 1995 · G. P. Putnam's SonsUS G. P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, 1995, is the first edition. The first printing carries a complete number line ending in the digit 1 on the copyright page, and the dust jacket should retain its printed front-flap price. Issued in publisher's cloth-backed boards with the printed jacket present; the jacket bears the title and author on a designed front panel with the printed price at the top of the front flap. The US Putnam edition (1995) is the true first; it precedes the later Ballantine trade paperback. Book club editions lack the complete number line and the printed flap price, are often issued on lighter boards, and may carry a small blind stamp to the rear board; the priced jacket and the number line ending in 1 together identify the trade first printing.
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