The points of issue
Issued first in book form 1849 by Putnam under the title 'The California and Oregon Trail' (the full original title), in cloth; the famous shortened title 'The Oregon Trail' came with later editions. First-book-edition points include the 1849 Putnam imprint and the original longer title on the title page. (Originally serialized in Knickerbocker Magazine 1847-49 prior to book form.)
Is this the true first?
The 1849 G.P. Putnam first book edition titled 'The California and Oregon Trail: Being Sketches of Prairie and Rocky Mountain Life' is the true first in book form. The shorter 'The Oregon Trail' title and the later illustrated (Remington) editions are 'first thus.' Magazine serialization precedes the book.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The 1892 Little, Brown illustrated edition with Frederic Remington illustrations is a celebrated but separate 'first thus,' not the 1849 first. Any copy titled simply 'The Oregon Trail' is not the 1849 first issue (which uses the longer California-and-Oregon title).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Oregon Trail a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Issued first in book form 1849 by Putnam under the title 'The California and Oregon Trail' (the full original title), in cloth; the famous shortened title 'The Oregon Trail' came with later editions. First-book-edition points include the 1849 Putnam imprint and the original longer title on the title page. (Originally serialized in Knickerbocker Magazine 1847-49 prior to book form.)
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 1849 G.P. Putnam first book edition titled 'The California and Oregon Trail: Being Sketches of Prairie and Rocky Mountain Life' is the true first in book form. The shorter 'The Oregon Trail' title and the later illustrated (Remington) editions are 'first thus.' Magazine serialization precedes th
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The 1892 Little, Brown illustrated edition with Frederic Remington illustrations is a celebrated but separate 'first thus,' not the 1849 first. Any copy titled simply 'The Oregon Trail' is not the 1849 first issue (which uses the longer California-and-Oregon title).
I have a first edition of The Oregon Trail — 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.