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First-Edition Identification · MacKinlay Kantor

Is My But Look, the Morn a First Edition?

Coward-McCann, 1947

The points of issue

First printing of this autobiographical account of the author's Iowa childhood (full title 'But Look, the Morn: The Story of a Childhood'). Coward-McCann, New York, 1947.

Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · Coward-McCann first-edition guide.

Is this the true first?

US first edition; published by Coward-McCann in New York, 1947. References to 1939/1941 reflect composition dates, not a published edition.

Telling it from reprints & book-club editions

Reprints noted.

Frequently asked questions

Is my copy of But Look, the Morn a first edition?

Look for these first-edition points: First printing of this autobiographical account of the author's Iowa childhood (full title 'But Look, the Morn: The Story of a Childhood'). Coward-McCann, New York, 1947.

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 first edition; published by Coward-McCann in New York, 1947. References to 1939/1941 reflect composition dates, not a published edition.

Is the book-club edition the same as the first?

Reprints noted.

I have a first edition of But Look, the Morn — 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.

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