The points of issue
The true first edition of Indian Earth signed first by Witter Bynner is identified by: Knopf 1929, Santa Fe poet circle.
Knopf’s first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device. 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. Borzoi colophon and “A Note on the Type” page authenticate genuine Knopf production rather than a book club reprint. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Indian Earth signed first is a Tier 3 (mid-to-upper three-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Bynner's 1929 Knopf collection is foundational Santa Fe poet-circle material.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Indian Earth signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Knopf 1929, Santa Fe poet circle For Knopf, Stated "First Edition" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device. 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" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device, 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 — Borzoi colophon and “A Note on the Type” page authenticate genuine Knopf production rather than a book club reprint.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Indian Earth 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 Witter Bynner collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.