The points of issue
Dial Press, 1966. The first printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page. Publisher's cloth (described by dealers variously as tan or gray) lettered in red on the spine; first-state dust jacket carries the original printed price on the front flap and is not price-clipped. Basis for the 1971 Bogdanovich film.
Is this the true first?
The US Dial Press first is the true first. McMurtry's third book and a key Texas-literature high spot.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Watch for book-club printings (no price on the jacket, lighter boards, blind stamp on the rear board) and later Dial printings lacking the 'First Printing' statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Last Picture Show a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Dial Press, 1966. The first printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page. Publisher's cloth (described by dealers variously as tan or gray) lettered in red on the spine; first-state dust jacket carries the original printed price on the front flap and is not price-clipped. Basis for the 1971 Bogdanovich film.
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 US Dial Press first is the true first. McMurtry's third book and a key Texas-literature high spot.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Watch for book-club printings (no price on the jacket, lighter boards, blind stamp on the rear board) and later Dial printings lacking the 'First Printing' statement.
I have a first edition of The Last Picture Show — 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.