The points of issue
First edition, first printing; Grove Press number line down to 1; priced dust jacket on the hardcover. Issued in both cloth (hardcover in dust jacket) and trade wrappers in the same year. Illustrated by S. Clay Wilson. Acker's last novel.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1996 Grove Press, New York edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable; confirm by number line and unclipped priced jacket on the hardcover state.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Pussy, King of the Pirates a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing; Grove Press number line down to 1; priced dust jacket on the hardcover. Issued in both cloth (hardcover in dust jacket) and trade wrappers in the same year. Illustrated by S. Clay Wilson. Acker's last novel.
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. True first is the 1996 Grove Press, New York edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable; confirm by number line and unclipped priced jacket on the hardcover state.
I have a first edition of Pussy, King of the Pirates — 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.