The points of issue
Random House first printing, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page. O'Hara's first postwar short-story collection. Black cloth lettered in silver, top edge stained blue, in the original dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
US first; the UK Faber and Faber edition followed in 1948.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings are stated as such on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Hellbox a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Random House first printing, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page. O'Hara's first postwar short-story collection. Black cloth lettered in silver, top edge stained blue, in the original dust jacket.
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 first; the UK Faber and Faber edition followed in 1948.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings are stated as such on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of Hellbox — 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.