The points of issue
The first edition prints the words First Edition on the copyright page. Black cloth binding, 467 pages. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
US Harcourt, Brace 1941 true first, identified by the stated First Edition on the copyright page.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings remove the First Edition statement and may add a printing notice; reprints are clearly marked.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of In This Our Life a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The first edition prints the words First Edition on the copyright page. Black cloth binding, 467 pages. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
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 Harcourt, Brace 1941 true first, identified by the stated First Edition on the copyright page.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings remove the First Edition statement and may add a printing notice; reprints are clearly marked.
I have a first edition of In This Our Life — 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.