# Is "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin (Alfred A. Knopf, 1953) is identified by: Per Knopf convention, the copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing line. The US Knopf 1953 is the true first; the UK edition (Michael Joseph, 1954) follows.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Per Knopf convention, the copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing line
- Cloth binding with blue top-stained edge, gilt spine lettering, and the Borzoi colophon
- First-issue jacket designed by John O'Hara Cosgrave II, priced '3.50' net on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Baldwin |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1953 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Per Knopf convention, the copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing line |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Per Knopf convention, the copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing line. Cloth binding with blue top-stained edge, gilt spine lettering, and the Borzoi colophon. First-issue jacket designed by John O'Hara Cosgrave II, priced '3.50' net on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf 1953 is the true first; the UK edition (Michael Joseph, 1954) follows. The author's debut novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions omit the Knopf 'First Edition' statement, lack the blue top-edge stain, are typically blind-stamped on the rear board, and carry no jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Go Tell It on the Mountain* by James Baldwin a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain
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.