# Is "Tyrannus Nix?" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Tyrannus Nix? by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (New Directions, 1969) is identified by: Anti-Nixon long poem set in the author's own handwriting, in an oblong format. True first is the 1969 New Directions wrappered paperback original; no hardcover trade issue exists.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Anti-Nixon long poem set in the author's own handwriting, in an oblong format
- Paperback original in printed card wrappers (New Directions Paperbook 288); no hardcover issued
- First printing with no statement of later printing
- Publisher imprint reads New Directions
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lawrence Ferlinghetti |
| Publisher | New Directions |
| Year | 1969 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Anti-Nixon long poem set in the author's own handwriting, in an oblong format |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Anti-Nixon long poem set in the author's own handwriting, in an oblong format. Paperback original in printed card wrappers (New Directions Paperbook 288); no hardcover issued. First printing with no statement of later printing.

## Is this the true first?
True first is the 1969 New Directions wrappered paperback original; no hardcover trade issue exists.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Tyrannus Nix?* by Lawrence Ferlinghetti a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/tyrannus-nix
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.