The points of issue
First printing in black cloth boards with gilt spine lettering, 361 pages, dust jacket priced 7.95 and not clipped. Novel of the 1968 Paris student uprising.
Is this the true first?
US Delacorte 1971 is the true first; a UK Collins edition followed the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club edition exists and is distinct from the trade first printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Merry Month of May a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in black cloth boards with gilt spine lettering, 361 pages, dust jacket priced 7.95 and not clipped. Novel of the 1968 Paris student uprising.
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 Delacorte 1971 is the true first; a UK Collins edition followed the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A book club edition exists and is distinct from the trade first printing.
I have a first edition of The Merry Month of May — 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.