The points of issue
First printing so indicated by 'First printing, 1962' on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket with original price on the flap.
Is this the true first?
Farrar, Straus and Cudahy US (1962) is the true first; Andre Deutsch UK follows (1963). Confirm the 'First printing, 1962' statement.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Distinguish from later printings via the copyright page; the price-present first-issue jacket is required for a true first in jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Big Sur a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing so indicated by 'First printing, 1962' on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket with original price on the flap.
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. Farrar, Straus and Cudahy US (1962) is the true first; Andre Deutsch UK follows (1963). Confirm the 'First printing, 1962' statement.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Distinguish from later printings via the copyright page; the price-present first-issue jacket is required for a true first in jacket.
I have a first edition of Big Sur — 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.