# Is "Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven" by Barry Lopez a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven by Barry Lopez (Sheed, Andrews and McMeel, 1976) is identified by: Sheed, Andrews and McMeel (Kansas City) first printing; dated 1976; taupe paper-covered boards, titles stamped in dark brown on spine, 89 pages, with a priced dust jacket. True first US edition; Lopez's first book.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Sheed, Andrews and McMeel (Kansas City) first printing; dated 1976; taupe paper-covered boards, titles stamped in dark brown on spine, 89 pages, with a priced dust jacket
- No later-printing statement on the copyright page
- Publisher imprint reads Sheed, Andrews and McMeel
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Barry Lopez |
| Publisher | Sheed, Andrews and McMeel |
| Year | 1976 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Sheed, Andrews and McMeel (Kansas City) first printing; dated 1976; taupe paper-covered… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Sheed, Andrews and McMeel (Kansas City) first printing; dated 1976; taupe paper-covered boards, titles stamped in dark brown on spine, 89 pages, with a priced dust jacket. No later-printing statement on the copyright page.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition; Lopez's first book. First volume of the Desert Notes / River Notes pairing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club concern. The later Avon paperback and the combined Desert Notes/River Notes reissue are reprints.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven* by Barry Lopez a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/desert-notes-reflections-in-the-eye-of-a-raven
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.