The points of issue
The true first edition of House Made of Dawn signed first by N. Scott Momaday is identified by: Harper & Row 1968 Pulitzer.
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
House Made of Dawn signed first is a Tier 2 (low-to-mid four-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. The 1968 first won the 1969 Pulitzer and is foundational Native American Renaissance literature.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of House Made of Dawn signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Harper & Row 1968 Pulitzer 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 House Made of Dawn 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 N. Scott Momaday collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.