# Is "Black Boy" by Richard Wright a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Black Boy by Richard Wright (Harper & Brothers, 1945) is identified by: Cloth binding; the first printing carries the Harper publisher's code 'M-T' (signifying December 1944) on the copyright page, with the date '1945' present. US Harper & Brothers (New York and London) true first, 1945, identified by the 'M-T' code.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Cloth binding; the first printing carries the Harper publisher's code 'M-T' (signifying December 1944) on the copyright page, with the date '1945' present
- The first-issue dust jacket is priced
- The stated code, not the year alone, distinguishes the first printing
- Publisher imprint reads Harper & Brothers
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Wright |
| Publisher | Harper & Brothers |
| Year | 1945 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Cloth binding; the first printing carries the Harper publisher's code 'M-T' (signifying December 1944) on the copyright page, with the date… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Cloth binding; the first printing carries the Harper publisher's code 'M-T' (signifying December 1944) on the copyright page, with the date '1945' present. The first-issue dust jacket is priced. The stated code, not the year alone, distinguishes the first printing.

## Is this the true first?
US Harper & Brothers (New York and London) true first, 1945, identified by the 'M-T' code.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings carry different Harper letter codes. The Book-of-the-Month Club issue lacks the publisher's code and the jacket price and bears a blind-stamp to the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Black Boy* by Richard Wright a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/black-boy
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.