The points of issue
US first, H. C. Carey & I. Lea, Philadelphia, 1826, 2 volumes, original boards with paper spine labels (BAL 3833; Grolier American 100, no. 34; Spiller & Blackburn 7). Verified first-state points in Volume I: page 89 misnumbered 93, and chapter XVI misnumbered XIV. Volume II first state ('State A') reads 'a Book' in the fifth line of the copyright notice. Confirm the 1826 imprint and the 2-volume boards with spine labels.
Is this the true first?
US first is the 2-volume Carey & Lea, Philadelphia, 1826, in boards. The London editions (John Miller, 3 vols.) are near-simultaneous; precedence is debated, but the Philadelphia Carey & Lea in boards is taken as the first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later reprints lack the original boards and paper spine labels and the first-state misnumberings. The 2-volume 1826 Carey & Lea in boards, with the page 89/93 and chapter XVI/XIV misnumberings and the Vol. II 'a Book' copyright reading, identifies the US first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Last of the Mohicans; A Narrative of 1757 a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US first, H. C. Carey & I. Lea, Philadelphia, 1826, 2 volumes, original boards with paper spine labels (BAL 3833; Grolier American 100, no. 34; Spiller & Blackburn 7). Verified first-state points in Volume I: page 89 misnumbered 93, and chapter XVI misnumbered XIV. Volume II first state ('State A') reads 'a Book' in the fifth line of the copyright notice. Confirm the 1826 imprint and the 2-volume boards with spine labels.
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 is the 2-volume Carey & Lea, Philadelphia, 1826, in boards. The London editions (John Miller, 3 vols.) are near-simultaneous; precedence is debated, but the Philadelphia Carey & Lea in boards is taken as the first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later reprints lack the original boards and paper spine labels and the first-state misnumberings. The 2-volume 1826 Carey & Lea in boards, with the page 89/93 and chapter XVI/XIV misnumberings and the Vol. II 'a Book' copyright reading, identifies the US first.
I have a first edition of The Last of the Mohicans; A Narrative of 1757 — 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.