The points of issue
Henry Holt and Company imprint dated 1990, with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; paper-covered boards with cloth spine, roughly 199 pages; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
The US Henry Holt hardcover of 1990 is the true first edition. It won the 1991 PEN/Faulkner Award, Wideman's second after Sent for You Yesterday.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition is smaller, typically blind-stamped on the rear board, with an unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Philadelphia Fire a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Henry Holt and Company imprint dated 1990, with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; paper-covered boards with cloth spine, roughly 199 pages; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
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 US Henry Holt hardcover of 1990 is the true first edition. It won the 1991 PEN/Faulkner Award, Wideman's second after Sent for You Yesterday.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition is smaller, typically blind-stamped on the rear board, with an unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of Philadelphia Fire — 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.