The points of issue
First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with the Lippincott imprint; Pynchon's debut novel. Original jacket priced the printed price. Issued in cloth with the distinctive jacket; first issue has no later-printing notices.
Is this the true first?
US Lippincott is the true first; UK Cape (1963) is later. As Pynchon's debut it is the scarcest of his firsts and frequently sought.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks 'First Edition', carries a blind-stamp, and uses bulkier paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of V. a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with the Lippincott imprint; Pynchon's debut novel. Original jacket priced the printed price. Issued in cloth with the distinctive jacket; first issue has no later-printing notices.
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 Lippincott is the true first; UK Cape (1963) is later. As Pynchon's debut it is the scarcest of his firsts and frequently sought.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition lacks 'First Edition', carries a blind-stamp, and uses bulkier paper.
I have a first edition of V. — 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.