The points of issue
First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1974, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon; no number line below the statement. First-issue dust jacket priced the printed price. Thick single volume (~1,200+ pp).
Is this the true first?
US Knopf 1974 is the true first. Won the 1975 Pulitzer; post-Pulitzer and later printings are common. Signed Caro firsts carry strong premiums. The 'FIRST EDITION' statement plus Borzoi colophon and the printed price jacket are the key points.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement, are printed on thinner paper to reduce bulk, have a blind board stamp, and carry unpriced jackets.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1974, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon; no number line below the statement. First-issue dust jacket priced the printed price. Thick single volume (~1,200+ pp).
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 Knopf 1974 is the true first. Won the 1975 Pulitzer; post-Pulitzer and later printings are common. Signed Caro firsts carry strong premiums. The 'FIRST EDITION' statement plus Borzoi colophon and the printed price jacket are the key points.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement, are printed on thinner paper to reduce bulk, have a blind board stamp, and carry unpriced jackets.
I have a first edition of The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York — 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.