The points of issue
Gold Medal paperback original (wraps), catalogue number s1153, priced 35 cents on the cover; no later-printing statement present. Cover art and illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon. First story collection, twelve stories.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1961 Gold Medal paperback original. Never issued in hardcover by the publisher; eleven of the twelve stories were later folded into 'Welcome to the Monkey House' (with 'Hal Irwin's Magic Lamp' omitted there). Scarce.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Canary in a Cat House a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Gold Medal paperback original (wraps), catalogue number s1153, priced 35 cents on the cover; no later-printing statement present. Cover art and illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon. First story collection, twelve stories.
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 1961 Gold Medal paperback original. Never issued in hardcover by the publisher; eleven of the twelve stories were later folded into 'Welcome to the Monkey House' (with 'Hal Irwin's Magic Lamp' omitted there). Scarce.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None.
I have a first edition of Canary in a Cat House — 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.