First Edition Points and Criteria for This Side of Paradise

Year Published: 1920
Author Last Name: Fitzgerald
Author First Name: F. Scott
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons
Original Price: $1.75
Pages: 305

Copyright page states "Published April, 1920" with the Scribner's Seal and no statements of reprintings. Boards are dark green cloth with gold lettering on the spine and embossed lettering on the front. The first issue dust jacket is extremely rare, and so the photos that appear on this web page are photos of a facsimile dust jacket based upon an original. The first issue jacket lacks any statement of printing on the front, while later issue dust jackets have statements of printings across the front - ie. "Fifth Large Printing", "Tenth Large Printing", "Eleventh Large Printing", etc. The front flap lacks critical reviews, and has only the publisher's description of the novel. The dust jacket is said to have stated a price of $1.75, however this is not present on the facsimile dust jacket used in our photos. In the 1920's, prices were typically printed on the front flap or the spine of the dust jacket.

There were numerous errors found across the entire first printing run, and these errors persisted into subsequent printings. We are not aware of any errors that were corrected during the first printing that could be considered first edition points of issue. So the errors are not discussed on this page.

Note: 500 copies of the third printing contain a special tipped-in page signed by the author for a meeting of the American Booksellers Association. The page features a photo of the author and is entitled "The Author's Apology". It contains a three paragraph message to the American Booksellers Association members and is dated May, 1920. The message opens with this sentence: "I don't want to talk about myself because I'll admit I did that somewhat in this book." It closes with: "So, gentlemen, consider all the cocktails mentioned in this book drunk by me as a toast to the American Booksellers Association." Again, the page is typically found in third printings, not first editions, but they are still very valuable as early signed printings of an important book.


Picture of the 1920 first edition dust jacket for This Side of Paradise.


Picture of the first edition copyright page for This Side of Paradise.


This facsimile dust jacket provides insight into what the original front flap looks like. There are no critical reviews present - only the publisher's description of the novel.


Facsimile of the back dust jacket panel for This Side of Paradise.


Picture of the first edition Charles Scribner's Sons boards for This Side of Paradise.


Facsimile of the back dust jacket flap for This Side of Paradise.


Picture of the first edition title page for This Side of Paradise.

Other first edition points for books by F. Scott Fitzgerald include: The Great Gatsby.