The points of issue
Arkham House first edition; the colophon states an edition of 3,000 though roughly 3,112 copies were actually printed. Black cloth, jacket carries the three-dollar price. This is Bradbury's first book.
Is this the true first?
The US Arkham House edition is the true first; the abridged UK Hamish Hamilton edition followed in 1948.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
There is no contemporary book club edition; the Gauntlet Press reprint appeared much later.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Dark Carnival a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Arkham House first edition; the colophon states an edition of 3,000 though roughly 3,112 copies were actually printed. Black cloth, jacket carries the three-dollar price. This is Bradbury's first book.
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 Arkham House edition is the true first; the abridged UK Hamish Hamilton edition followed in 1948.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
There is no contemporary book club edition; the Gauntlet Press reprint appeared much later.
I have a first edition of Dark Carnival — 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.