# Is "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (Alfred A. Knopf, 1977) is identified by: First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page beneath the Knopf colophon. US Knopf is the true first; UK Chatto & Windus (1978) is later.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page beneath the Knopf colophon
- Bound in black cloth with the title blind-stamped on the front board and stamped in gilt on the spine, over a red-stained top edge
- The first-state pictorial jacket is yellow with black and burgundy lettering and retains its printed price on the front flap; first-state flaps carry a 9/77 date code
- No later-printing number line
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Toni Morrison |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page beneath the Knopf colophon |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page beneath the Knopf colophon. Bound in black cloth with the title blind-stamped on the front board and stamped in gilt on the spine, over a red-stained top edge. The first-state pictorial jacket is yellow with black and burgundy lettering and retains its printed price on the front flap; first-state flaps carry a 9/77 date code. No later-printing number line.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf is the true first; UK Chatto & Windus (1978) is later. This title (a National Book Critics Circle Award winner) is scarcer in firsts than 'Beloved'.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month Club edition lacks 'FIRST EDITION', carries a blind-stamp to the rear board, omits the flap price and 9/77 code, and uses bulkier, lighter paper.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Song of Solomon* by Toni Morrison a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/song-of-solomon
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.