The points of issue
Collected nonfiction and profiles, in red cloth. First printing is identified by the number line on the copyright page reading down to "2" as the lowest figure, per Random House's first-printing practice of the period; the back panel of the jacket carries a photograph of Capote.
Is this the true first?
US first; a first-thus collection of previously published pieces.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club issue has a blindstamp to the board and lacks a flap price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Dogs Bark: Public People and Private Places a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Collected nonfiction and profiles, in red cloth. First printing is identified by the number line on the copyright page reading down to "2" as the lowest figure, per Random House's first-printing practice of the period; the back panel of the jacket carries a photograph of Capote.
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 first; a first-thus collection of previously published pieces.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club issue has a blindstamp to the board and lacks a flap price.
I have a first edition of The Dogs Bark: Public People and Private Places — 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.