The points of issue
The true first edition of Laughing Boy signed first by Oliver La Farge is identified by: Houghton Mifflin 1929 Pulitzer.
Houghton Mifflin’s first-printing convention: “First Printing” statement (pre-1970s) Number line (1970s–present). 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. One of the more straightforward American houses to authenticate. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Laughing Boy signed first is a Tier 3 (mid-to-upper three-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. La Farge's 1929 first won the Pulitzer and is a landmark Navajo-themed novel.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Laughing Boy signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Houghton Mifflin 1929 Pulitzer For Houghton Mifflin, “First Printing” statement (pre-1970s) Number line (1970s–present). 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: “First Printing” statement (pre-1970s) Number line (1970s–present), 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 — One of the more straightforward American houses to authenticate.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Laughing Boy 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 Oliver La Farge collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.