The points of issue
Frost's second book, again a London first. About 1,000 sets of first-edition sheets were bound in several variant states over roughly eight years. The genuine first issue, first binding state is coarse olive-green cloth bearing a blind-rule border at the edges of the front cover and lacking any rubber-stamped 'Printed in Great Britain' on the title-page verso; roughly 350 copies were bound and sold before the First World War. The David Nutt imprint and the '6/-' price are present.
Is this the true first?
The UK David Nutt edition of 1914 precedes the US Henry Holt edition of 1914. The London printing is the true first; the Holt edition is the first American.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club. Later first-issue binding states were rubber-stamped 'Printed in Great Britain' on the copyright/title verso; the earliest (Binding A) lacks that stamp. The US Holt 1914 carries an American imprint.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of North of Boston a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Frost's second book, again a London first. About 1,000 sets of first-edition sheets were bound in several variant states over roughly eight years. The genuine first issue, first binding state is coarse olive-green cloth bearing a blind-rule border at the edges of the front cover and lacking any rubber-stamped 'Printed in Great Britain' on the title-page verso; roughly 350 copies were bound and sold before the First World War. The David Nutt imprint and the '6/-' price are present.
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. The UK David Nutt edition of 1914 precedes the US Henry Holt edition of 1914. The London printing is the true first; the Holt edition is the first American.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club. Later first-issue binding states were rubber-stamped 'Printed in Great Britain' on the copyright/title verso; the earliest (Binding A) lacks that stamp. The US Holt 1914 carries an American imprint.
I have a first edition of North of Boston — 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.