The points of issue
First printing copyright page states 'First edition, 1975' with no later-printing line. Red cloth stamped in blind on the upper board with gilt spine lettering, top edge stained yellow. First-issue color pictorial jacket (Babbitt's own art) retains the original printed price.
Is this the true first?
US Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1975 is the true first. A modern children's classic; this title is not a Newbery Medal winner, so no medal seal applies.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions omit the 'First edition' statement, may carry a blind-stamp, and have an unpriced or clipped jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Tuck Everlasting a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing copyright page states 'First edition, 1975' with no later-printing line. Red cloth stamped in blind on the upper board with gilt spine lettering, top edge stained yellow. First-issue color pictorial jacket (Babbitt's own art) retains the original printed price.
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 Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1975 is the true first. A modern children's classic; this title is not a Newbery Medal winner, so no medal seal applies.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions omit the 'First edition' statement, may carry a blind-stamp, and have an unpriced or clipped jacket.
I have a first edition of Tuck Everlasting — 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.