The points of issue
First trade edition, Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin (copyright Massachusetts Historical Society), 1918, published posthumously. The first printing is identified by the date in Roman numerals at the foot of the title page; later printings lack that dated title page. The true first overall is the 1907 privately printed edition of about 100 copies.
Is this the true first?
True first = the 1907 privately printed edition (Washington, roughly 100 copies, distributed to the author's circle). The 1918 Houghton Mifflin printing is the first published/trade edition and won the 1919 Pulitzer Prize.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The 1918 trade edition is the collectible 'first' for most buyers; the 1907 private printing is exceedingly rare. Distinguish the two, and within the 1918 issue look for the Roman-numeral date on the title page to confirm the first printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Education of Henry Adams a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First trade edition, Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin (copyright Massachusetts Historical Society), 1918, published posthumously. The first printing is identified by the date in Roman numerals at the foot of the title page; later printings lack that dated title page. The true first overall is the 1907 privately printed edition of about 100 copies.
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 first = the 1907 privately printed edition (Washington, roughly 100 copies, distributed to the author's circle). The 1918 Houghton Mifflin printing is the first published/trade edition and won the 1919 Pulitzer Prize.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The 1918 trade edition is the collectible 'first' for most buyers; the 1907 private printing is exceedingly rare. Distinguish the two, and within the 1918 issue look for the Roman-numeral date on the title page to confirm the first printing.
I have a first edition of The Education of Henry Adams — 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.