The points of issue
First printing identified by the letter 'A' on the copyright page, the Little, Brown / Atlantic Monthly Press convention of the period; dust jacket designed by Milton Glaser and priced 4.95. Barthelme's first book, a collection of short stories.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1964 Little, Brown (Atlantic Monthly Press) hardcover. UK edition Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1966. Scarce in jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Come Back, Dr. Caligari a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing identified by the letter 'A' on the copyright page, the Little, Brown / Atlantic Monthly Press convention of the period; dust jacket designed by Milton Glaser and priced 4.95. Barthelme's first book, a collection of short 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 1964 Little, Brown (Atlantic Monthly Press) hardcover. UK edition Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1966. Scarce in jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No significant book club edition.
I have a first edition of Come Back, Dr. Caligari — 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.