The points of issue
Novel. The true first carries FIRST PRINTING on the copyright page; absence of that line indicates a later state or a book club copy.
Is this the true first?
United States Random House edition is the true first. A London edition followed; the American printing leads.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition lacks the FIRST PRINTING statement and is typically identified by a small blind-stamped device embossed in the rear board, a standard book club marker of the era.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Elizabeth Appleton a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Novel. The true first carries FIRST PRINTING on the copyright page; absence of that line indicates a later state or a book club copy.
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. United States Random House edition is the true first. A London edition followed; the American printing leads.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book club edition lacks the FIRST PRINTING statement and is typically identified by a small blind-stamped device embossed in the rear board, a standard book club marker of the era.
I have a first edition of Elizabeth Appleton — 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.