The points of issue
First edition 1947, Viking (New York). The copyright page reads First Published by the Viking Press in April 1947, with no further printings or number line present. Author-illustrated by William Pène du Bois; first-issue jacket bears no Newbery Medal seal.
Is this the true first?
US true first. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 1948.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Viking later printings list additional printings on the verso; jackets bearing the Newbery seal are later states.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Twenty-One Balloons a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition 1947, Viking (New York). The copyright page reads First Published by the Viking Press in April 1947, with no further printings or number line present. Author-illustrated by William Pène du Bois; first-issue jacket bears no Newbery Medal seal.
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 true first. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 1948.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Viking later printings list additional printings on the verso; jackets bearing the Newbery seal are later states.
I have a first edition of The Twenty-One Balloons — 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.