The points of issue
First printing in original gray cloth boards stamped in white; about 116 pages; illustrated dust jacket with the two-dollar price intact. Copyright page without later-printing notation.
Is this the true first?
The US Duell, Sloan and Pearce edition is the true first. First-state copies retain the two-dollar jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
This content was later reprinted in the omnibus The Art of Eating (World, 1954) — a 'first thus' collection, not the first appearance of this title. Watch for jacketless or price-clipped copies offered as firsts.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Consider the Oyster a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in original gray cloth boards stamped in white; about 116 pages; illustrated dust jacket with the two-dollar price intact. Copyright page without later-printing notation.
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. The US Duell, Sloan and Pearce edition is the true first. First-state copies retain the two-dollar jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
This content was later reprinted in the omnibus The Art of Eating (World, 1954) — a 'first thus' collection, not the first appearance of this title. Watch for jacketless or price-clipped copies offered as firsts.
I have a first edition of Consider the Oyster — 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.