The points of issue
First edition so stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1; cloth-and-boards binding in dust jacket with original price. Confirm the number line reaches 1.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf is the true first. The collection won the 1991 National Book Award for Poetry, awarded after publication. Signed copies exist.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A reduced number line that does not reach 1 indicates a later printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of What Work Is a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition so stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1; cloth-and-boards binding in dust jacket with original price. Confirm the number line reaches 1.
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 Knopf is the true first. The collection won the 1991 National Book Award for Poetry, awarded after publication. Signed copies exist.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A reduced number line that does not reach 1 indicates a later printing.
I have a first edition of What Work Is — 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.