The points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; speckled white cloth, jacket designed by Lawrence Ratzkin and priced 4.50 on the front flap. Barthelme's first novel.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1967 Atheneum hardcover. UK edition Jonathan Cape, 1968.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition is blind-stamped on the rear board and carries a jacket without a printed price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Snow White a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; speckled white cloth, jacket designed by Lawrence Ratzkin and priced 4.50 on the front flap. Barthelme's first 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 1967 Atheneum hardcover. UK edition Jonathan Cape, 1968.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition is blind-stamped on the rear board and carries a jacket without a printed price.
I have a first edition of Snow White — 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.