# Is "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966) is identified by: First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; bound in light grey cloth; dust jacket designed by Carl Smith with the printed price on the front flap (unclipped). The US Harcourt, Brace & World 1966 hardcover is generally taken as the true first of the expanded novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; bound in light grey cloth; dust jacket designed by Carl Smith with the printed price on the front flap (unclipped)
- No number line on a 1966 Harcourt book
- Publisher imprint reads Harcourt, Brace & World
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Daniel Keyes |
| Publisher | Harcourt, Brace & World |
| Year | 1966 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; bound in light grey cloth; dust jacket… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; bound in light grey cloth; dust jacket designed by Carl Smith with the printed price on the front flap (unclipped). No number line on a 1966 Harcourt book.

## Is this the true first?
The US Harcourt, Brace & World 1966 hardcover is generally taken as the true first of the expanded novel. The UK Cassell 1966 edition is a close-dated separate first issue; the original 1959 short story predates both.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions lack the stated 'First Edition', often show a blind-stamp on the rear board and an unpriced jacket flap, and are printed on thinner boards.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Flowers for Algernon* by Daniel Keyes a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/flowers-for-algernon
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.