# Is "Brown Dog of the Yaak: Essays on Art and Activism" by Rick Bass a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Brown Dog of the Yaak: Essays on Art and Activism by Rick Bass (Milkweed Editions, 1999) is identified by: Milkweed Editions first printing with full number line; dated 1999; issued in cloth (brown/cinnamon cloth with black lettering and the author's facsimile signature stamped on spine and front cover), without a dust jacket as issued. True first US edition, first printing.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Milkweed Editions first printing with full number line; dated 1999; issued in cloth (brown/cinnamon cloth with black lettering and the author's facsimile signature stamped on spine and front cover), without a dust jacket as issued
- Launch title of Milkweed's Credo series
- Publisher imprint reads Milkweed Editions
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Rick Bass |
| Publisher | Milkweed Editions |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Milkweed Editions first printing with full number line; dated 1999; issued in cloth… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Milkweed Editions first printing with full number line; dated 1999; issued in cloth (brown/cinnamon cloth with black lettering and the author's facsimile signature stamped on spine and front cover), without a dust jacket as issued. Launch title of Milkweed's Credo series.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition, first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition concern; issued in cloth without a dust jacket as issued.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Brown Dog of the Yaak: Essays on Art and Activism* by Rick Bass a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/brown-dog-of-the-yaak-essays-on-art-and-activism
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.