The points of issue
First edition, first printing. Issued in 1971 by Alfred A. Knopf in the US and Jonathan Cape in the UK. The Knopf jacket styles the title M/F on the spine while the title page reads MF. Precedence between the two 1971 editions is not firmly established.
Is this the true first?
Both the US Knopf and UK Cape editions appeared in 1971. Reliable sources do not establish which was issued first, so neither should be presented as the definitive true first without further bibliographic confirmation.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue noted.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of MF a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing. Issued in 1971 by Alfred A. Knopf in the US and Jonathan Cape in the UK. The Knopf jacket styles the title M/F on the spine while the title page reads MF. Precedence between the two 1971 editions is not firmly established.
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. Both the US Knopf and UK Cape editions appeared in 1971. Reliable sources do not establish which was issued first, so neither should be presented as the definitive true first without further bibliographic confirmation.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue noted.
I have a first edition of MF — 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.