The points of issue
Atheneum first edition with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Issued simultaneously in cloth (hardcover, dust jacket priced on the flap) and in paperbound wrappers; the cloth issue in jacket is the collected hardcover first. A landmark of Merwin's open-form period.
Is this the true first?
US true first; precedes the 1969 Rupert Hart-Davis UK edition. One of the most collected Merwin titles.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. Later Atheneum printings drop the 'First Edition' statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Lice a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Atheneum first edition with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Issued simultaneously in cloth (hardcover, dust jacket priced on the flap) and in paperbound wrappers; the cloth issue in jacket is the collected hardcover first. A landmark of Merwin's open-form period.
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 true first; precedes the 1969 Rupert Hart-Davis UK edition. One of the most collected Merwin titles.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. Later Atheneum printings drop the 'First Edition' statement.
I have a first edition of The Lice — 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.