The points of issue
The true first edition of New Mexico: A Pageant of Three Peoples by Erna Fergusson is identified by: Knopf first edition.
Knopf’s first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. Borzoi colophon and “A Note on the Type” page authenticate genuine Knopf production rather than a book club reprint. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
New Mexico: A Pageant of Three Peoples is a Tier 4 (entry-level to mid three-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Fergusson's 1951 Knopf history is the standard popular account of NM's three cultures.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of New Mexico: A Pageant of Three Peoples a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Knopf first edition For Knopf, Stated "First Edition" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1947–present) Borzoi running-wolfhound device, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — Borzoi colophon and “A Note on the Type” page authenticate genuine Knopf production rather than a book club reprint.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of New Mexico: A Pageant of Three Peoples — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Erna Fergusson collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.