The points of issue
"First Printing" stated on the copyright page; cloth-backed boards stamped in metallic red and purple, yellow topstain; illustrated dust jacket carrying the original printed price, with a "0473" date code on the flap. Author's third novel.
Is this the true first?
US Houghton Mifflin is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints omit the stated "First Printing" line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Great Jones Street a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: "First Printing" stated on the copyright page; cloth-backed boards stamped in metallic red and purple, yellow topstain; illustrated dust jacket carrying the original printed price, with a "0473" date code on the flap. Author's third 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 Houghton Mifflin is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Reprints omit the stated "First Printing" line.
I have a first edition of Great Jones Street — 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.