The points of issue
First edition, first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Hardcover in red paper-covered boards with black spine lettering, octavo, 86 pages, in a priced dust jacket. A novella retelling Sleeping Beauty.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1996 Grove Press hardcover (New York). A later Grove paperback edition exists and should not be confused with the first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Briar Rose a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Hardcover in red paper-covered boards with black spine lettering, octavo, 86 pages, in a priced dust jacket. A novella retelling Sleeping Beauty.
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. True first is the 1996 Grove Press hardcover (New York). A later Grove paperback edition exists and should not be confused with the first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Briar Rose — 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.