The points of issue
Full brown morocco, gilt-decorated (trumpet motif on covers), three raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; issued as a Signed First Edition Society volume and hand-signed by Morrison on a bound-in limitation page. Distinguish from the trade Knopf first, which is cloth, states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page, and carries a 4/92 code with a Maya Angelou photo on the rear jacket panel.
Is this the true first?
The Franklin Library Signed First Edition Society series (issued 1983-2000) is genuinely hand-signed by the author on a separate limitation page bound into the book; this is NOT a facsimile signature. The earlier Franklin Limited First Editions series (1976-1982) used facsimile signatures, but that does not apply here. The Knopf trade edition remains the standard textual first; the Franklin issue was a privately printed deluxe issued around the same time as a genuinely signed first thus.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not a book-club reprint. The leather Franklin Signed First Edition Society copy is genuinely hand-signed (not a facsimile), so it is correctly described as a signed deluxe issue rather than the textual precedence first; the Knopf trade printing is the standard collector's textual first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Jazz (Franklin Library Signed First Edition Society) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Full brown morocco, gilt-decorated (trumpet motif on covers), three raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; issued as a Signed First Edition Society volume and hand-signed by Morrison on a bound-in limitation page. Distinguish from the trade Knopf first, which is cloth, states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page, and carries a 4/92 code with a Maya Angelou photo on the rear jacket panel.
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. The Franklin Library Signed First Edition Society series (issued 1983-2000) is genuinely hand-signed by the author on a separate limitation page bound into the book; this is NOT a facsimile signature. The earlier Franklin Limited First Editions series (1976-1982) used facsimile signatures, but that
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not a book-club reprint. The leather Franklin Signed First Edition Society copy is genuinely hand-signed (not a facsimile), so it is correctly described as a signed deluxe issue rather than the textual precedence first; the Knopf trade printing is the standard collector's textual first.
I have a first edition of Jazz (Franklin Library Signed First Edition Society) — 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.