The points of issue
W. W. Norton first edition (full title 'Diving into the Wreck: Poems 1971-1972'). Issued simultaneously in cloth and in wrappers; the clothbound issue in dust jacket is the collector's form and is the scarcer of the two. Contains the title poem 'Diving into the Wreck.' Won the 1974 National Book Award for Poetry, which Rich accepted jointly in the names of all women.
Is this the true first?
US true first. Note the simultaneous hardcover and trade-paperback issue: the cloth copy in jacket is the collector's first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. The distinction to watch is the cloth first against the simultaneous trade-paperback issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Diving into the Wreck a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: W. W. Norton first edition (full title 'Diving into the Wreck: Poems 1971-1972'). Issued simultaneously in cloth and in wrappers; the clothbound issue in dust jacket is the collector's form and is the scarcer of the two. Contains the title poem 'Diving into the Wreck.' Won the 1974 National Book Award for Poetry, which Rich accepted jointly in the names of all women.
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 true first. Note the simultaneous hardcover and trade-paperback issue: the cloth copy in jacket is the collector's first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. The distinction to watch is the cloth first against the simultaneous trade-paperback issue.
I have a first edition of Diving into the Wreck — 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.