The points of issue
First printing carries the Scribner capital 'A' on the copyright page, the firm's standard first-edition point for this era, with a first-state jacket lacking the Caldecott Honor seal and the original price intact to the flap.
Is this the true first?
The US Scribner 1947 edition is the true first; the book was named a 1948 Caldecott Honor. The Scribner 'A' is the definitive dating point for the publisher in this period.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions lack the Scribner 'A', commonly add the Caldecott seal to the jacket, and carry a blind-stamp to the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Stone Soup a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing carries the Scribner capital 'A' on the copyright page, the firm's standard first-edition point for this era, with a first-state jacket lacking the Caldecott Honor seal and the original price intact to the 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. The US Scribner 1947 edition is the true first; the book was named a 1948 Caldecott Honor. The Scribner 'A' is the definitive dating point for the publisher in this period.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions lack the Scribner 'A', commonly add the Caldecott seal to the jacket, and carry a blind-stamp to the rear board.
I have a first edition of Stone Soup — 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.