# Is "Mind Breaths: Poems 1972-1977" by Allen Ginsberg a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Mind Breaths: Poems 1972-1977 by Allen Ginsberg (City Lights Books, 1977) is identified by: City Lights Books, San Francisco, 1977, Pocket Poets Series No. First is the 1977 City Lights printing; issued simultaneously in wrappers and in a clothbound hardcover.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- City Lights Books, San Francisco, 1977, Pocket Poets Series No
- First issued in printed wrappers, 123 pp
- A clothbound hardcover issue (approximately 300 copies) was produced simultaneously with the wrappered printing
- Publisher imprint reads City Lights Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Allen Ginsberg |
| Publisher | City Lights Books |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | City Lights Books, San Francisco, 1977, Pocket Poets Series No |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
City Lights Books, San Francisco, 1977, Pocket Poets Series No. 35. First issued in printed wrappers, 123 pp. A clothbound hardcover issue (approximately 300 copies) was produced simultaneously with the wrappered printing.

## Is this the true first?
First is the 1977 City Lights printing; issued simultaneously in wrappers and in a clothbound hardcover.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Mind Breaths: Poems 1972-1977* by Allen Ginsberg a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/mind-breaths-poems-1972-1977
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.