The points of issue
Harcourt, Brace first edition with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page; light blue cloth, spine stamped in black; viii, 50 pages; in priced dust jacket. Won the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the 1957 National Book Award.
Is this the true first?
US true first; Pulitzer and National Book Award winner and Wilbur's most collected single volume. Signed copies desirable.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition; later printings carry a printing statement rather than the 'First edition' line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Things of This World a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Harcourt, Brace first edition with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page; light blue cloth, spine stamped in black; viii, 50 pages; in priced dust jacket. Won the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the 1957 National Book Award.
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; Pulitzer and National Book Award winner and Wilbur's most collected single volume. Signed copies desirable.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition; later printings carry a printing statement rather than the 'First edition' line.
I have a first edition of Things of This World — 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.