The points of issue
First printing in orange cloth with black spine lettering and a reddish-brown top stain, 322 pages. The scarce original dust jacket is very hard to find. Algren's debut novel.
Is this the true first?
US Vanguard Press 1935 is the true first; no notable simultaneous UK edition. The book is genuinely scarce, especially in jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition; later printings are stated on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Somebody in Boots a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in orange cloth with black spine lettering and a reddish-brown top stain, 322 pages. The scarce original dust jacket is very hard to find. Algren's debut 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. US Vanguard Press 1935 is the true first; no notable simultaneous UK edition. The book is genuinely scarce, especially in jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition; later printings are stated on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of Somebody in Boots — 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.