The points of issue
States 'First printing' on the copyright page; first-state dust jacket priced and unclipped. Black cloth boards with silver and blue lettering; Vonnegut's first essay/nonfiction collection.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1974 Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence edition. The UK first was Jonathan Cape, 1975.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons (Opinions) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: States 'First printing' on the copyright page; first-state dust jacket priced and unclipped. Black cloth boards with silver and blue lettering; Vonnegut's first essay/nonfiction collection.
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. True first is the 1974 Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence edition. The UK first was Jonathan Cape, 1975.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons (Opinions) — 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.