# Is "Ideas of Order" by Wallace Stevens a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Ideas of Order by Wallace Stevens (Alcestis Press, 1935) is identified by: True first: the Alcestis Press limited edition of 165 signed copies (20 numbered I-XX on Duca di Modena handmade paper for presentation, 135 numbered 1-135 on Strathmore all-rag paper, plus about 10 out-of-series for review), issued in wrappers, designed and hand-set by Lew Ney. The Alcestis Press 1935 signed limited (165 copies) precedes the Knopf 1936 trade edition, which is a separate expanded first-thus adding three poems.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- True first: the Alcestis Press limited edition of 165 signed copies (20 numbered I-XX on Duca di Modena handmade paper for presentation, 135 numbered 1-135 on Strathmore all-rag paper, plus about 10 out-of-series for review), issued in wrappers, designed and hand-set by Lew Ney
- The Knopf trade edition of 1936 followed, expanded by additional poems
- Publisher imprint reads Alcestis Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Wallace Stevens |
| Publisher | Alcestis Press |
| Year | 1935 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | True first: the Alcestis Press limited edition of 165 signed copies (20 numbered I-XX on… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
True first: the Alcestis Press limited edition of 165 signed copies (20 numbered I-XX on Duca di Modena handmade paper for presentation, 135 numbered 1-135 on Strathmore all-rag paper, plus about 10 out-of-series for review), issued in wrappers, designed and hand-set by Lew Ney. The Knopf trade edition of 1936 followed, expanded by additional poems.

## Is this the true first?
The Alcestis Press 1935 signed limited (165 copies) precedes the Knopf 1936 trade edition, which is a separate expanded first-thus adding three poems. Collectors should note the Alcestis issue is in wrappers, not cloth.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition relevant to either the Alcestis first or the Knopf first-thus.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Ideas of Order* by Wallace Stevens a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/ideas-of-order
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.