The points of issue
First printing of this novel following Martha and Larry Barden and their twins. Coward-McCann, New York, 1949.
Is this the true first?
US first edition; published by Coward-McCann in New York.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints noted; confirm the dust jacket and absence of any later-printing notice.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Good Family a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing of this novel following Martha and Larry Barden and their twins. Coward-McCann, New York, 1949.
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 edition; published by Coward-McCann in New York.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Reprints noted; confirm the dust jacket and absence of any later-printing notice.
I have a first edition of The Good Family — 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.