The points of issue
First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with the Lippincott imprint. Original jacket priced the printed price. Half-cloth boards.
Is this the true first?
US Lippincott is the true first; UK Cape (1967) is later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks 'First Edition', has a blind-stamp on the rear board, and uses bulkier paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Crying of Lot 49 a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with the Lippincott imprint. Original jacket priced the printed price. Half-cloth boards.
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 Lippincott is the true first; UK Cape (1967) is later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition lacks 'First Edition', has a blind-stamp on the rear board, and uses bulkier paper.
I have a first edition of The Crying of Lot 49 — 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.