The points of issue
Crane's first book, privately printed at his own expense in 1893 under the pseudonym 'Johnston Smith,' in an edition of about 1,100 copies, most of which Crane destroyed when they failed to sell. Original mustard/pale-yellow printed wrappers (extremely fragile and rare). Two title-page states are recorded in BAL: (1) title in upper- and lower-case lettering, and (2) title in all capitals. Unexpurgated text. Fewer than about forty copies are now recorded.
Is this the true first?
US true first, 1893, self-published as by 'Johnston Smith.' The 1896 D. Appleton edition, issued under Crane's own name, is heavily bowdlerized and is a distinct, far more common later edition, not the first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The 1896 Appleton 'Maggie' (Crane's name, expurgated) is the common reprint mistaken for the first; the genuine first is the 1893 yellow-wrappered 'Johnston Smith' issue with the original unexpurgated text.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (A Story of New York) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Crane's first book, privately printed at his own expense in 1893 under the pseudonym 'Johnston Smith,' in an edition of about 1,100 copies, most of which Crane destroyed when they failed to sell. Original mustard/pale-yellow printed wrappers (extremely fragile and rare). Two title-page states are recorded in BAL: (1) title in upper- and lower-case lettering, and (2) title in all capitals. Unexpurgated text. Fewer than about forty copies are now recorded.
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 true first, 1893, self-published as by 'Johnston Smith.' The 1896 D. Appleton edition, issued under Crane's own name, is heavily bowdlerized and is a distinct, far more common later edition, not the first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The 1896 Appleton 'Maggie' (Crane's name, expurgated) is the common reprint mistaken for the first; the genuine first is the 1893 yellow-wrappered 'Johnston Smith' issue with the original unexpurgated text.
I have a first edition of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (A Story of New York) — 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.