The points of issue
Trade first printing shows a full number line on the copyright page (later printings show a higher low number, e.g. ending in 4 for the fourth printing); first-state dust jacket priced 10.00 on the front flap. Memoir drawn from Welty's William E. Massey Sr. Lectures in the History of American Civilization. Bound in quarter brown cloth over grey cloth, gilt lettering.
Is this the true first?
US Harvard University Press first edition is the true first; first-thus memoir. A signed, numbered limited edition of 350 copies was issued in a slipcase WITHOUT a dust jacket and is the premium issue.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No conventional book-club edition; identify printings by the number line (a fully present line down to 1 indicates the first printing). The signed limited carries no jacket — it was issued slipcased only.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of One Writer's Beginnings a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Trade first printing shows a full number line on the copyright page (later printings show a higher low number, e.g. ending in 4 for the fourth printing); first-state dust jacket priced 10.00 on the front flap. Memoir drawn from Welty's William E. Massey Sr. Lectures in the History of American Civilization. Bound in quarter brown cloth over grey cloth, gilt lettering.
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. US Harvard University Press first edition is the true first; first-thus memoir. A signed, numbered limited edition of 350 copies was issued in a slipcase WITHOUT a dust jacket and is the premium issue.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No conventional book-club edition; identify printings by the number line (a fully present line down to 1 indicates the first printing). The signed limited carries no jacket — it was issued slipcased only.
I have a first edition of One Writer's Beginnings — 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.