The points of issue
First printing has the words First Edition on the copyright page together with the Harper month-year letter code H-Q (H equals August, Q equals the year 1941). First state has lines 5 and 6 from the foot of page 220 transposed. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering on front board and spine; posthumous collection with a note on Wolfe by Edward C. Aswell.
Is this the true first?
True US first. The H-Q code, the First Edition statement, and the transposed lines on page 220 mark the first printing, first state.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club issue for the first. Later printings carry a different code-letter pair and correct the page 220 transposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Hills Beyond a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the words First Edition on the copyright page together with the Harper month-year letter code H-Q (H equals August, Q equals the year 1941). First state has lines 5 and 6 from the foot of page 220 transposed. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering on front board and spine; posthumous collection with a note on Wolfe by Edward C. Aswell.
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 US first. The H-Q code, the First Edition statement, and the transposed lines on page 220 mark the first printing, first state.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club issue for the first. Later printings carry a different code-letter pair and correct the page 220 transposition.
I have a first edition of The Hills Beyond — 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.