The points of issue
First printing of this collection of essays and book reviews, in original cloth with dust jacket; collation viii, [4], 191 pages.
Is this the true first?
Eyre & Spottiswoode London 1951 is the true first edition; the US Viking edition followed in 1952.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue noted for the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Lost Childhood and Other Essays a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing of this collection of essays and book reviews, in original cloth with dust jacket; collation viii, [4], 191 pages.
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. Eyre & Spottiswoode London 1951 is the true first edition; the US Viking edition followed in 1952.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue noted for the first edition.
I have a first edition of The Lost Childhood and Other Essays — 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.