# Is "Krapp's Last Tape and Embers" by Samuel Beckett a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Krapp's Last Tape and Embers by Samuel Beckett (Faber and Faber, 1959) is identified by: First book edition of Krapp's Last Tape (with Embers), Faber and Faber, London, 1959 (Federman and Fletcher 37.1). First periodical appearance was Evergreen Review (Summer 1958).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First book edition of Krapp's Last Tape (with Embers), Faber and Faber, London, 1959 (Federman and Fletcher 37.1)
- Faber copyright page states 'First published in mcmlix' with no later impressions listed
- The play first appeared in periodical form in Evergreen Review 2.5, Summer 1958
- Publisher imprint reads Faber and Faber
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Samuel Beckett |
| Publisher | Faber and Faber |
| Year | 1959 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First book edition of Krapp's Last Tape (with Embers), Faber and Faber, London, 1959 (Federman and Fletcher 37.1) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First book edition of Krapp's Last Tape (with Embers), Faber and Faber, London, 1959 (Federman and Fletcher 37.1). Faber copyright page states 'First published in mcmlix' with no later impressions listed. The play first appeared in periodical form in Evergreen Review 2.5, Summer 1958.

## Is this the true first?
First periodical appearance was Evergreen Review (Summer 1958). First book edition was Faber 1959 (UK). The US first book appearance came in Grove's 'Krapp's Last Tape and Other Dramatic Pieces,' 1960 — a separate first thus. Faber 1959 is the earliest stand-alone book.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Identify the Faber first by 'First published in mcmlix' with no further impression statement; later Faber impressions add impression lines. No book-club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Krapp's Last Tape and Embers* by Samuel Beckett a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/krapps-last-tape-and-embers
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.