The points of issue
First volume of the U.S.A. trilogy, published February 1930. Bound in dark red cloth spine with patterned-paper boards and a printed paper spine label; first printing carries the Harper & Brothers date code on the copyright page (Harper used a two-letter month-and-year code in this era, with the year letter corresponding to 1930). Interior black-and-white illustrations are by Reginald Marsh. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
True US first; precedes the UK Constable edition of 1930.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club issue for the first. Later printings carry a different Harper date code on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The 42nd Parallel a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First volume of the U.S.A. trilogy, published February 1930. Bound in dark red cloth spine with patterned-paper boards and a printed paper spine label; first printing carries the Harper & Brothers date code on the copyright page (Harper used a two-letter month-and-year code in this era, with the year letter corresponding to 1930). Interior black-and-white illustrations are by Reginald Marsh. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front 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. True US first; precedes the UK Constable edition of 1930.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club issue for the first. Later printings carry a different Harper date code on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of The 42nd Parallel — 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.