The points of issue
Arkham House's first book. Edition of 1,268 copies, black cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, large octavo, xiv + 553 pp. Dust jacket a montage by Virgil Finlay, carrying the printed price unclipped. Printed by George Banta Co. Never reprinted in this form.
Is this the true first?
The true first collected Lovecraft; a single-printing edition of 1,268, so first edition equals first printing. The original dust jacket is essential. Out of print by 1944.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition exists; later Arkham collections (such as the 1943 Beyond the Wall of Sleep) are different titles. Facsimile/reprint jackets exist — verify jacket paper and printing against known originals.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Outsider and Others a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Arkham House's first book. Edition of 1,268 copies, black cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, large octavo, xiv + 553 pp. Dust jacket a montage by Virgil Finlay, carrying the printed price unclipped. Printed by George Banta Co. Never reprinted in this 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 true first collected Lovecraft; a single-printing edition of 1,268, so first edition equals first printing. The original dust jacket is essential. Out of print by 1944.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition exists; later Arkham collections (such as the 1943 Beyond the Wall of Sleep) are different titles. Facsimile/reprint jackets exist — verify jacket paper and printing against known originals.
I have a first edition of The Outsider and Others — 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.