The points of issue
German true first: 'Die Traumdeutung,' Franz Deuticke, Leipzig & Vienna — printed 1899 but title-page dated 1900 (a famous point: the book bears '1900' though copies were available in November 1899). 600 copies. First English edition (trans. A. A. Brill) is Macmillan/George Allen, 1913.
Is this the true first?
The Deuticke 'Die Traumdeutung' (title-page 1900, actually issued late 1899) is the true first — only 600 copies, very rare. The 1913 Brill English translation is the first English edition ('first thus'). The 1899/1900 dating discrepancy is the celebrated bibliographic point.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue; the main pitfalls are later German editions (revised through 8 editions in Freud's lifetime, each textually expanded) and later English translations (Strachey's Standard Edition). Only the 1900-dated Deuticke first is the true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Interpretation of Dreams a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: German true first: 'Die Traumdeutung,' Franz Deuticke, Leipzig & Vienna — printed 1899 but title-page dated 1900 (a famous point: the book bears '1900' though copies were available in November 1899). 600 copies. First English edition (trans. A. A. Brill) is Macmillan/George Allen, 1913.
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. The Deuticke 'Die Traumdeutung' (title-page 1900, actually issued late 1899) is the true first — only 600 copies, very rare. The 1913 Brill English translation is the first English edition ('first thus'). The 1899/1900 dating discrepancy is the celebrated bibliographic point.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue; the main pitfalls are later German editions (revised through 8 editions in Freud's lifetime, each textually expanded) and later English translations (Strachey's Standard Edition). Only the 1900-dated Deuticke first is the true first.
I have a first edition of The Interpretation of Dreams — 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.