How to identify a first printing
- "First printing" or "First Edition" stated on the copyright page, frequently paired with a number line ending in 1
- Vonnegut-era Delacorte / Seymour Lawrence books: look for an explicit "First printing" statement on the copyright page (e.g. Slaughterhouse-Five is a stated first printing)
Notable points & cautions
- Hardcover home of many Kurt Vonnegut firsts, published as Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence — a high-value collecting area
- Within the Random House Publishing Group, part of Penguin Random House
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Delacorte, Delacorte Press/Seymour Lawrence (co-imprint on Vonnegut-era titles). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Delacorte Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. "First printing" or "First Edition" stated on the copyright page, frequently paired with a number line ending in 1 Vonnegut-era Delacorte / Seymour Lawrence books: look for an explicit "First printing" statement on the copyright page (e.g. Slaughterhouse-Five is a stated first printing)
Does Delacorte Press use a number line?
Vonnegut-era Delacorte / Seymour Lawrence books: look for an explicit "First printing" statement on the copyright page (e.g. Slaughterhouse-Five is a stated first printing)
Is a book-club edition a Delacorte Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Hardcover home of many Kurt Vonnegut firsts, published as Delacorte Press / Seymour Lawrence — a high-value collecting area
What era does this cover?
This covers Delacorte Press (1921–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.