The points of issue
First printing carries the Scribner's 'A' on the copyright page with the publisher's seal beneath it. 861 pages. First-state dust jacket priced 4.50 on the front flap with the author photograph on the rear panel. Jones's debut novel.
Is this the true first?
US Scribner first; UK Collins followed in 1952. Won the National Book Award for fiction in 1952.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Second and later printings lack the 'A' and seal on the copyright page; the book club edition carries a blind-stamp impression on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of From Here to Eternity a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing carries the Scribner's 'A' on the copyright page with the publisher's seal beneath it. 861 pages. First-state dust jacket priced 4.50 on the front flap with the author photograph on the rear panel. Jones's debut novel.
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 Scribner first; UK Collins followed in 1952. Won the National Book Award for fiction in 1952.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Second and later printings lack the 'A' and seal on the copyright page; the book club edition carries a blind-stamp impression on the rear board.
I have a first edition of From Here to Eternity — 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.