The points of issue
'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page, with the Borzoi/Knopf colophon. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf trade first is the true first edition and precedes the UK Andre Deutsch edition of 1968. A separate signed limited issue exists; the often-cited '500 copies, boxed' figure could not be verified from reliable sources, so the exact limitation is left unstated here.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement and the printed jacket price and typically carry a blind-stamped impression on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Couples a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page, with the Borzoi/Knopf colophon. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
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 Knopf trade first is the true first edition and precedes the UK Andre Deutsch edition of 1968. A separate signed limited issue exists; the often-cited '500 copies, boxed' figure could not be verified from reliable sources, so the exact limitation is left unstated here.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club copies lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement and the printed jacket price and typically carry a blind-stamped impression on the rear board.
I have a first edition of Couples — 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.