The points of issue
First printing has the statement 'Published by The Viking Press in December 1947' on the copyright page (not 'First Published 1947'). Illustrated with drawings by Jose Clemente Orozco. The first-state dust jacket carries the printed price and shows the photograph of Steinbeck looking to his left, toward the spine; the second-state jacket shows him glancing to the right. The story had earlier appeared in Woman's Home Companion (1945) as 'The Pearl of the World,' but that is a periodical appearance, not the book first.
Is this the true first?
True US first book edition; precedes the UK Heinemann edition of 1948.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club issue for the true first. Later printings carry additional printing statements on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Pearl a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the statement 'Published by The Viking Press in December 1947' on the copyright page (not 'First Published 1947'). Illustrated with drawings by Jose Clemente Orozco. The first-state dust jacket carries the printed price and shows the photograph of Steinbeck looking to his left, toward the spine; the second-state jacket shows him glancing to the right. The story had earlier appeared in Woman's Home Companion (1945) as 'The Pearl of the World,' but that is a periodical appearance, not the book first.
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. True US first book edition; precedes the UK Heinemann edition of 1948.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club issue for the true first. Later printings carry additional printing statements on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of The Pearl — 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.