# Is "The Doctor's Son and Other Stories" by John O'Hara a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Doctor's Son and Other Stories by John O'Hara (Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1935) is identified by: "First Edition" stated on the copyright page of the Harcourt, Brace and Company (New York) printing. The US Harcourt, Brace and Company printing of 1935 is the true first; there is no earlier edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- "First Edition" stated on the copyright page of the Harcourt, Brace and Company (New York) printing
- Bound in black cloth with gilt titling
- O'Hara's first collection of short stories, gathering thirty-seven pieces
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed price to the flap
- Notably uncommon in the jacket, which is seldom found
- Publisher imprint reads Harcourt, Brace and Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John O'Hara |
| Publisher | Harcourt, Brace and Company |
| Year | 1935 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | "First Edition" stated on the copyright page of the Harcourt, Brace and Company (New York) printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
"First Edition" stated on the copyright page of the Harcourt, Brace and Company (New York) printing. Bound in black cloth with gilt titling; O'Hara's first collection of short stories, gathering thirty-seven pieces. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed price to the flap. Notably uncommon in the jacket, which is seldom found.

## Is this the true first?
The US Harcourt, Brace and Company printing of 1935 is the true first; there is no earlier edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not a book-club title. Later printings drop the "First Edition" statement on the copyright page; a second printing is recorded and is at times found inscribed by O'Hara, so confirm the "First Edition" line rather than relying on a signature.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Doctor's Son and Other Stories* by John O'Hara a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-doctors-son-and-other-stories
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.