The points of issue
First edition, New York: Random House, 1934, in small octavo format. Black cloth stamped in silver, dark green top stain, about 181 pages. Bruccoli A9. The dust jacket's rear panel lists books by six Random House authors, as called for.
Is this the true first?
US first (Random House, 1934). The first UK edition was published by Longmans, Green in London, also in 1934, as a standalone volume with dozens of textual variations from the US text.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition is required to identify the trade first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Castaway a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, New York: Random House, 1934, in small octavo format. Black cloth stamped in silver, dark green top stain, about 181 pages. Bruccoli A9. The dust jacket's rear panel lists books by six Random House authors, as called for.
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 (Random House, 1934). The first UK edition was published by Longmans, Green in London, also in 1934, as a standalone volume with dozens of textual variations from the US text.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition is required to identify the trade first.
I have a first edition of Castaway — 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.