# Is "The Works of Love" by Wright Morris a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Works of Love by Wright Morris (Alfred A. Knopf, 1952) is identified by: Knopf (Borzoi Books) first edition, 1952; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page per Knopf's period convention, with the Borzoi device; first-issue dust jacket with the original printed flap price. The US Knopf edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi Books) first edition, 1952; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page per Knopf's period convention, with the Borzoi device; first-issue dust jacket with the original printed flap price
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Wright Morris |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1952 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi Books) first edition, 1952; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page per Knopf's period convention, with the… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi Books) first edition, 1952; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page per Knopf's period convention, with the Borzoi device; first-issue dust jacket with the original printed flap price.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf edition is the true first. Some references cite a 1951 review date, but the published first edition is dated 1952 and so dated on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Knopf firsts of this period state 'First Edition' on the copyright page; club and later printings drop that statement or add a printing line, and typically lack the original priced jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Works of Love* by Wright Morris a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-works-of-love
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.