The points of issue
First US edition, cloth in dust jacket. First printing identified by the copyright page; first-issue jacket with original price. Completes Burroughs's 'Nova'/cut-up trilogy.
Is this the true first?
Grove Press US (1964) is the true first (Burroughs wrote it for Grove; unlike The Soft Machine and The Ticket That Exploded there is no prior Olympia edition). Jonathan Cape issued the UK edition (1966). Verify the Grove first-printing copyright page.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not a book club. Note that Nova Express, unlike the other two cut-up novels, has its true first at Grove (no Olympia precedent). Distinguish first printing via the copyright page and price-present jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Nova Express a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First US edition, cloth in dust jacket. First printing identified by the copyright page; first-issue jacket with original price. Completes Burroughs's 'Nova'/cut-up trilogy.
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. Grove Press US (1964) is the true first (Burroughs wrote it for Grove; unlike The Soft Machine and The Ticket That Exploded there is no prior Olympia edition). Jonathan Cape issued the UK edition (1966). Verify the Grove first-printing copyright page.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not a book club. Note that Nova Express, unlike the other two cut-up novels, has its true first at Grove (no Olympia precedent). Distinguish first printing via the copyright page and price-present jacket.
I have a first edition of Nova Express — 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.