The points of issue
True first: McClelland & Stewart (Toronto), 1966 — black cloth boards, gilt spine lettering, blind-stamped figure on the front board; dust jacket drawing by Harold Town, jacket design by Frank Newfeld. The most reliable internal point is the presence of typographical extras dropped from all later editions: the mock comic-book captions, the Charles Axis bodybuilding parody advertisement, the radio transcript of 'Gavin and the Goddesses,' and the Greek-English phrasebook passage. The first-printing sheets were printed by Viking and bound by M&S, so US Viking sheets in a Canadian jacket also occur.
Is this the true first?
The Canadian McClelland & Stewart 1966 hardcover is the true first edition of Cohen's second novel, published 28 April 1966. The US Viking Press (1966) and UK Jonathan Cape editions are secondary; collectors prize the Canadian M&S first. Because the original sheets were printed by Viking and bound by M&S, some copies pair US-printed text with a Canadian jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Beware later M&S, Viking, Vintage, and combined-omnibus reprints sold as 'first edition.' Confirm the 1966 single-title hardcover that still contains the comic-book captions, Charles Axis advertisement, 'Gavin and the Goddesses' transcript, and Greek-English phrasebook; these extras were removed from subsequent printings.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Beautiful Losers a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: True first: McClelland & Stewart (Toronto), 1966 — black cloth boards, gilt spine lettering, blind-stamped figure on the front board; dust jacket drawing by Harold Town, jacket design by Frank Newfeld. The most reliable internal point is the presence of typographical extras dropped from all later editions: the mock comic-book captions, the Charles Axis bodybuilding parody advertisement, the radio transcript of 'Gavin and the Goddesses,' and the Greek-English phrasebook passage. The first-printing sheets were printed by Viking and bound by M&S, so US Viking
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. The Canadian McClelland & Stewart 1966 hardcover is the true first edition of Cohen's second novel, published 28 April 1966. The US Viking Press (1966) and UK Jonathan Cape editions are secondary; collectors prize the Canadian M&S first. Because the original sheets were printed by Viking and bound b
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Beware later M&S, Viking, Vintage, and combined-omnibus reprints sold as 'first edition.' Confirm the 1966 single-title hardcover that still contains the comic-book captions, Charles Axis advertisement, 'Gavin and the Goddesses' transcript, and Greek-English phrasebook; these extras were removed from subsequent printings.
I have a first edition of Beautiful Losers — 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.