The points of issue
US G.P. Putnam's Sons first edition (1965): stated first edition with first-issue jacket carrying the printed price. A French-language edition, 'Retour en Afrique' (Paris: Plon, 1964), preceded the English-language text by about a year. The Putnam edition is the first English-language edition and the first hardbound edition.
Is this the true first?
For this title the French edition 'Retour en Afrique' (Plon, 1964) precedes the English-language first. The US Putnam edition (1965) is the first English-language edition and the first hardcover. Several other Himes Harlem novels likewise appeared first in French, so precedence should be verified per title.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions exist; a film tie-in reprint followed the 1970 film and postdates the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Cotton Comes to Harlem a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US G.P. Putnam's Sons first edition (1965): stated first edition with first-issue jacket carrying the printed price. A French-language edition, 'Retour en Afrique' (Paris: Plon, 1964), preceded the English-language text by about a year. The Putnam edition is the first English-language edition and the first hardbound edition.
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. For this title the French edition 'Retour en Afrique' (Plon, 1964) precedes the English-language first. The US Putnam edition (1965) is the first English-language edition and the first hardcover. Several other Himes Harlem novels likewise appeared first in French, so precedence should be verified pe
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions exist; a film tie-in reprint followed the 1970 film and postdates the first.
I have a first edition of Cotton Comes to Harlem — 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.