The points of issue
Black cloth with gilt spine lettering; copyright page states 'First Edition' with the Borzoi colophon and no later-printing line; first-state dust jacket priced (24.95) and not clipped.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club issue lacks the 'First Edition' statement and the jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol. 2) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Black cloth with gilt spine lettering; copyright page states 'First Edition' with the Borzoi colophon and no later-printing line; first-state dust jacket priced (24.95) and not clipped.
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 Knopf true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club issue lacks the 'First Edition' statement and the jacket price.
I have a first edition of Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol. 2) — 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.