The points of issue
First appeared serially in Liberty magazine (1936). The first true book appearance is within the Knopf collection 'Three of a Kind' (1943), alongside 'The Embezzler' and 'Career in C Major,' with 'FIRST EDITION' stated. The standalone Avon Murder Mystery Monthly No. 17 paperback (1943) is a separate early appearance.
Is this the true first?
There is no standalone hardcover first; the first in book form is the 1943 Knopf 'Three of a Kind' omnibus. Note this when someone asks for a 'first edition of Double Indemnity.'
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue; the usual confusion is 'Three of a Kind' versus the Avon paperback rather than a club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Double Indemnity a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First appeared serially in Liberty magazine (1936). The first true book appearance is within the Knopf collection 'Three of a Kind' (1943), alongside 'The Embezzler' and 'Career in C Major,' with 'FIRST EDITION' stated. The standalone Avon Murder Mystery Monthly No. 17 paperback (1943) is a separate early appearance.
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. There is no standalone hardcover first; the first in book form is the 1943 Knopf 'Three of a Kind' omnibus. Note this when someone asks for a 'first edition of Double Indemnity.'
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue; the usual confusion is 'Three of a Kind' versus the Avon paperback rather than a club edition.
I have a first edition of Double Indemnity — 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.