The points of issue
The true first edition of The Rounders signed first by Max Evans is identified by: Macmillan 1960, NM cowboy canon.
Macmillan’s first-printing convention: “First printing” (US, 1936+) “First Published [Year]” (UK, mid-1920s+). Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. US and UK Macmillan conventions differ — establish which imprint you hold first. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
The Rounders signed first is a Tier 4 (entry-level to mid three-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Evans's 1960 first is a New Mexico cowboy-fiction touchstone.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Rounders signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Macmillan 1960, NM cowboy canon For Macmillan, “First printing” (US, 1936+) “First Published [Year]” (UK, mid-1920s+). Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: “First printing” (US, 1936+) “First Published [Year]” (UK, mid-1920s+), and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — US and UK Macmillan conventions differ — establish which imprint you hold first.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of The Rounders signed first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Max Evans collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.