The points of issue
US Knopf first edition, 1974, with the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon, per Knopf's practice of stating 'First Edition' on the first printing and removing it on later impressions.
Is this the true first?
The US Knopf 1974 edition is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Absence of the Knopf 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page indicates a later impression or a reprint edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Death of the Detective a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Knopf first edition, 1974, with the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon, per Knopf's practice of stating 'First Edition' on the first printing and removing it on later impressions.
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 Knopf 1974 edition is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Absence of the Knopf 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page indicates a later impression or a reprint edition.
I have a first edition of The Death of the Detective — 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.