The points of issue
First printing has 'First printing' stated on the copyright page; first-issue dust jacket priced the printed price with the Vonnegut blurbs. The 'Seymour Lawrence / Delacorte' imprint is present.
Is this the true first?
US Delacorte 1969 is the true first; UK (Cape, 1970) follows. Signed first printings are desirable; Vonnegut signed somewhat freely, so signature alone is not rare — first-printing state matters.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club copies lack 'First printing', are blind-stamped, and the jacket is unpriced/clipped.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Slaughterhouse-Five a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has 'First printing' stated on the copyright page; first-issue dust jacket priced the printed price with the Vonnegut blurbs. The 'Seymour Lawrence / Delacorte' imprint is present.
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 Delacorte 1969 is the true first; UK (Cape, 1970) follows. Signed first printings are desirable; Vonnegut signed somewhat freely, so signature alone is not rare — first-printing state matters.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club copies lack 'First printing', are blind-stamped, and the jacket is unpriced/clipped.
I have a first edition of Slaughterhouse-Five — 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.