The points of issue
Copyright page states "First Edition" with no later printing indicated. Bound in orange cloth, lettering in gilt on spine and front cover, the Knopf Borzoi device blind-stamped to the rear board, top edge stained green. The dust jacket (design by Wendell Minor) carries the printed retail price. Morrison's scarce second novel.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf printing of 1973 is the true first edition. The UK edition (Allen Lane) followed in 1974.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition is distinguished by a blind-stamped square to the rear board (rather than the publisher's device) and a dust jacket lacking the printed price. Note that both the first and the club edition carry a blind stamp on the rear board, so the price-clipped/absent jacket and the plain blind square are the reliable tells.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Sula a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states "First Edition" with no later printing indicated. Bound in orange cloth, lettering in gilt on spine and front cover, the Knopf Borzoi device blind-stamped to the rear board, top edge stained green. The dust jacket (design by Wendell Minor) carries the printed retail price. Morrison's scarce second 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 Knopf printing of 1973 is the true first edition. The UK edition (Allen Lane) followed in 1974.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book club edition is distinguished by a blind-stamped square to the rear board (rather than the publisher's device) and a dust jacket lacking the printed price. Note that both the first and the club edition carry a blind stamp on the rear board, so the price-clipped/absent jacket and the plain blind square are the reliable tells.
I have a first edition of Sula — 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.