The points of issue
First printing states 'First printing' on the copyright page. Jones's only collection of short stories, thirteen tales with an author's introduction; roughly xvi plus 238 pages, red cloth with gilt spine lettering and a pictorial jacket.
Is this the true first?
US Delacorte first; UK Collins followed in 1968.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings are stated as such on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Ice-Cream Headache and Other Stories a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing states 'First printing' on the copyright page. Jones's only collection of short stories, thirteen tales with an author's introduction; roughly xvi plus 238 pages, red cloth with gilt spine lettering and a pictorial jacket.
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 Delacorte first; UK Collins followed in 1968.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings are stated as such on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of The Ice-Cream Headache and Other Stories — 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.