# Is "Conversations with Nelson Algren" by Nelson Algren a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Conversations with Nelson Algren by Nelson Algren (Hill & Wang, 1964) is identified by: First edition, first printing. US first edition (Hill & Wang, New York, 1964).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, first printing
- Published by Hill & Wang, New York, 1964
- A book-length series of interviews conducted by H. E. F. Donohue; cloth binding with gilt spine lettering and pictorial dust jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Hill & Wang
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Nelson Algren |
| Publisher | Hill & Wang |
| Year | 1964 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, first printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First edition, first printing. Published by Hill & Wang, New York, 1964. A book-length series of interviews conducted by H. E. F. Donohue; cloth binding with gilt spine lettering and pictorial dust jacket.

## Is this the true first?
US first edition (Hill & Wang, New York, 1964). The interviewer of record is H. E. F. Donohue; the book is commonly catalogued under Algren as the subject and speaker.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings are stated on the copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Conversations with Nelson Algren* by Nelson Algren a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/conversations-with-nelson-algren
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.