The points of issue
First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page (Random House). Original jacket priced the printed price. Issued in cloth.
Is this the true first?
US Random House is the true first; UK Hamish Hamilton (1958) is later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks 'FIRST EDITION', has a blind-stamp, and uses bulkier paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Breakfast at Tiffany's a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page (Random House). Original jacket priced the printed price. Issued in cloth.
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. US Random House is the true first; UK Hamish Hamilton (1958) is later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition lacks 'FIRST EDITION', has a blind-stamp, and uses bulkier paper.
I have a first edition of Breakfast at Tiffany's — 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.