# Is "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut (Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence, 1973) is identified by: Copyright page reads 'First printing-1973'. US Delacorte/Seymour Lawrence is the true first edition and precedes the UK Jonathan Cape edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page reads 'First printing-1973'
- Bound in publisher's orange cloth, gilt and black spine lettering, yellow topstain
- First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap, jacket design by Bob Giusti
- Publisher imprint reads Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Kurt Vonnegut |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence |
| Year | 1973 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page reads 'First printing-1973' |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page reads 'First printing-1973'. Bound in publisher's orange cloth, gilt and black spine lettering, yellow topstain. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap, jacket design by Bob Giusti.

## Is this the true first?
US Delacorte/Seymour Lawrence is the true first edition and precedes the UK Jonathan Cape edition. A signed/limited issue exists distinct from the trade first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the 'First printing-1973' statement and the printed jacket price; club editions are typically identified by a blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board and lighter, thinner paper and boards.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Breakfast of Champions* by Kurt Vonnegut a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/breakfast-of-champions
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.