The points of issue
Copyright page reads 'Published in 1964 by The Viking Press, Inc.' with no later-printing statement. Bound in speckled grey cloth stamped in blue and green (a square face with two K's forming the eyes on the front board), top edge stained green, 628 pages. First-state dust jacket designed by Paul Bacon, unclipped with the printed price intact; the decisive first-state jacket point is the photographer's name misspelled 'Hank Krangler' printed vertically along the edge of the rear flap, with Kesey's two-line biography on the rear flap.
Is this the true first?
US Viking is the true first, preceding the UK Methuen 1966 edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition lacks the first-state copyright wording and the jacket price, and is blind-stamped on the rear board; it does not carry the 'Hank Krangler' rear-flap state.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Sometimes a Great Notion a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page reads 'Published in 1964 by The Viking Press, Inc.' with no later-printing statement. Bound in speckled grey cloth stamped in blue and green (a square face with two K's forming the eyes on the front board), top edge stained green, 628 pages. First-state dust jacket designed by Paul Bacon, unclipped with the printed price intact; the decisive first-state jacket point is the photographer's name misspelled 'Hank Krangler' printed vertically along the edge of the rear flap, with Kesey's two-line biography on the rear flap.
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 Viking is the true first, preceding the UK Methuen 1966 edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book-club edition lacks the first-state copyright wording and the jacket price, and is blind-stamped on the rear board; it does not carry the 'Hank Krangler' rear-flap state.
I have a first edition of Sometimes a Great Notion — 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.