The points of issue
Doubleday, Garden City, 1978, first printing with First Edition stated on the copyright page; priced dust jacket. Reed's first essay collection.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1978 Doubleday hardcover; first collection of Reed's essays.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable; Doubleday firsts of this period are identified by the stated First Edition rather than a number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Shrovetide in Old New Orleans a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Doubleday, Garden City, 1978, first printing with First Edition stated on the copyright page; priced dust jacket. Reed's first essay collection.
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 1978 Doubleday hardcover; first collection of Reed's essays.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable; Doubleday firsts of this period are identified by the stated First Edition rather than a number line.
I have a first edition of Shrovetide in Old New Orleans — 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.