# Is "Tales of Tahitian Waters" by Zane Grey a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Tales of Tahitian Waters by Zane Grey (Harper & Brothers, 1931) is identified by: First Harper printing has the code letters I-F on the copyright page (I = September month code, F = 1931 year code) and 'First Edition' stated. True first US edition of this angling narrative.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First Harper printing has the code letters I-F on the copyright page (I = September month code, F = 1931 year code) and 'First Edition' stated
- Green cloth, gilt lettering, plate illustrations and pictorial endpapers; issued in a pictorial dust jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Harper & Brothers
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Zane Grey |
| Publisher | Harper & Brothers |
| Year | 1931 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First Harper printing has the code letters I-F on the copyright page (I = September month… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First Harper printing has the code letters I-F on the copyright page (I = September month code, F = 1931 year code) and 'First Edition' stated. Green cloth, gilt lettering, plate illustrations and pictorial endpapers; issued in a pictorial dust jacket.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition of this angling narrative. A separate UK edition (Hodder & Stoughton) also exists but the US Harper printing is the primary first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Confirm the I-F code and the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page. The original record's 'F-F' month code is incorrect.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Tales of Tahitian Waters* by Zane Grey a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/tales-of-tahitian-waters
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.