The points of issue
The true first edition of Going for the Rain signed first by Simon J. Ortiz is identified by: Harper & Row 1976.
Harper & Row’s first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. Documented to occasionally leave “First Edition” on later printings; always cross-check the number line. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Going for the Rain signed first is a Tier 4 (entry-level to mid three-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Ortiz's 1976 Harper & Row collection is foundational Acoma Pueblo poetry.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Going for the Rain signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Harper & Row 1976 For Harper & Row, Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — Documented to occasionally leave “First Edition” on later printings; always cross-check the number line.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Going for the Rain signed first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Simon J. Ortiz collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.