# Is "Ourselves to Know" by John O'Hara a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Ourselves to Know by John O'Hara (Random House, 1960) is identified by: First printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page with no later-printing statement (Bruccoli A17.1.a). US first is Random House, New York, 1960 (Bruccoli A17.1.a).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page with no later-printing statement (Bruccoli A17.1.a)
- Bound in burgundy cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, with the top edge stained red
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed price at the top of the front flap; a price-clipped example is still collectible but the flap otherwise reads as first-state
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John O'Hara |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1960 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page with no later-printing statement (Bruccoli A17.1.a) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page with no later-printing statement (Bruccoli A17.1.a). Bound in burgundy cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, with the top edge stained red. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed price at the top of the front flap; a price-clipped example is still collectible but the flap otherwise reads as first-state.

## Is this the true first?
US first is Random House, New York, 1960 (Bruccoli A17.1.a). The UK edition was published by Cresset Press, London, in 1960 and follows the American first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition is identified by a blind-stamp (small dot or square) to the lower rear board, thinner boards and lighter bulk, and a dust jacket lacking the printed price; book-club jackets carry no price at all rather than a clipped one.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Ourselves to Know* by John O'Hara a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/ourselves-to-know
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.