# Is "More Than Human" by Theodore Sturgeon a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of More Than Human by Theodore Sturgeon (Farrar, Straus and Young, New York, 1953) is identified by: First edition states 'First Printing, 1953' on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; priced dust jacket; Farrar, Straus and Young imprint (the firm's earlier name, not the later 'Farrar, Straus' style). The US Farrar, Straus and Young hardcover (1953) is the true first book edition, preceding the UK Gollancz edition (1954).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition states 'First Printing, 1953' on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; priced dust jacket
- Farrar, Straus and Young imprint (the firm's earlier name, not the later 'Farrar, Straus' style)
- International Fantasy Award winner
- Publisher imprint reads Farrar, Straus and Young, New York
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Theodore Sturgeon |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Young, New York |
| Year | 1953 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition states 'First Printing, 1953' on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; priced dust jacket |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition states 'First Printing, 1953' on the copyright page with no later-printing notice; priced dust jacket; Farrar, Straus and Young imprint (the firm's earlier name, not the later 'Farrar, Straus' style). International Fantasy Award winner.

## Is this the true first?
The US Farrar, Straus and Young hardcover (1953) is the true first book edition, preceding the UK Gollancz edition (1954). A Ballantine paperback appeared in the same period; the FS&Y hardcover holds collecting priority.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club edition shows a rear-board gutter blind-stamp and an unpriced 'Book Club Edition' jacket on cheaper boards. Confirm the Farrar, Straus and Young imprint and 'First Printing, 1953' on the trade first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *More Than Human* by Theodore Sturgeon a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/more-than-human
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.