# Is "Great Days" by Donald Barthelme a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Great Days by Donald Barthelme (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1979) is identified by: Copyright page of the true first states 'First printing, 1979.' Bound in yellow cloth with red ink spine lettering, square and firmly bound, with a red top stain; 172 pages. True first is the 1979 Farrar, Straus & Giroux hardcover, identified by the 'First printing, 1979' statement on the copyright page.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page of the true first states 'First printing, 1979.' Bound in yellow cloth with red ink spine lettering, square and firmly bound, with a red top stain
- 172 pages
- First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and should be present and unclipped on a collector's copy
- Collection of the related short 'dialogue' pieces including 'The Crisis,' 'The Apology,' 'The New Music,' 'Morning,' 'On the Steps of the Conservatory,' 'The Leap,' and the title story 'Great Days.'
- Publisher imprint reads Farrar, Straus & Giroux
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Donald Barthelme |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus & Giroux |
| Year | 1979 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page of the true first states 'First printing, 1979.' Bound in yellow cloth with red ink spine lettering, square and firmly… |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
Copyright page of the true first states 'First printing, 1979.' Bound in yellow cloth with red ink spine lettering, square and firmly bound, with a red top stain; 172 pages. First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and should be present and unclipped on a collector's copy. Collection of the related short 'dialogue' pieces including 'The Crisis,' 'The Apology,' 'The New Music,' 'Morning,' 'On the Steps of the Conservatory,' 'The Leap,' and the title story 'Great Days.'

## Is this the true first?
True first is the 1979 Farrar, Straus & Giroux hardcover, identified by the 'First printing, 1979' statement on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club issue. Later printings replace or supplement the 'First printing' line with additional printing statements.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Great Days* by Donald Barthelme a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/great-days
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.