The points of issue
As I Lay Dying (1930) first printing: the well-known broken-type point — 'I' dropped / damaged type on a specific page, and the first-issue binding. Limited signed issue exists.
Is this the true first?
US Cape & Smith 1930 is the true first; signed limited copies precede as the deluxe state.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings repair the broken type; book-club copies are blind-stamped.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Sound and the Fury / As I Lay Dying a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: As I Lay Dying (1930) first printing: the well-known broken-type point — 'I' dropped / damaged type on a specific page, and the first-issue binding. Limited signed issue exists.
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 Cape & Smith 1930 is the true first; signed limited copies precede as the deluxe state.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings repair the broken type; book-club copies are blind-stamped.
I have a first edition of The Sound and the Fury / As I Lay Dying — 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.