The points of issue
The true first edition of Bless Me, Ultima first by Rudolfo Anaya is identified by: Quinto Sol 1972, 6-point colophon.
Quinto Sol’s first-printing convention: Imprint “Quinto Sol Publications, Inc.” with a Berkeley, California address No number lines and no explicit first-edition statements — identification is by physical points of issue. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. The press that created the Chicano literary canon. All four Premio Quinto Sol winners are now deceased — their signature pools are closed. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Bless Me, Ultima first is a Tier 2 (low-to-mid four-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. The 1972 Quinto Sol first is the foundational Chicano-literature collectible (6-point colophon check).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Bless Me, Ultima first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Quinto Sol 1972, 6-point colophon For Quinto Sol, Imprint “Quinto Sol Publications, Inc.” with a Berkeley, California address No number lines and no explicit first-edition statements — identification is by physical points of issue. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: Imprint “Quinto Sol Publications, Inc.” with a Berkeley, California address No number lines and no explicit first-edition statements — identification is by physical points of issue, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — The press that created the Chicano literary canon. All four Premio Quinto Sol winners are now deceased — their signature pools are closed.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Bless Me, Ultima first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Rudolfo Anaya collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.