The points of issue
Second Arkham House Lovecraft omnibus and the fourth Arkham House book overall; edition of 1,217 copies, black cloth gilt-lettered on the spine, dust jacket carrying the printed price. Single printing.
Is this the true first?
The 1,217-copy 1943 printing is the true first; never reprinted in this form. A notably smaller run than The Outsider and Others.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition exists; contents were later redistributed across the corrected Arkham collections. A genuine 1943 copy is the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Beyond the Wall of Sleep a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Second Arkham House Lovecraft omnibus and the fourth Arkham House book overall; edition of 1,217 copies, black cloth gilt-lettered on the spine, dust jacket carrying the printed price. Single printing.
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 1,217-copy 1943 printing is the true first; never reprinted in this form. A notably smaller run than The Outsider and Others.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition exists; contents were later redistributed across the corrected Arkham collections. A genuine 1943 copy is the first.
I have a first edition of Beyond the Wall of Sleep — 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.