First Edition Points and Criteria for Ulysses (American Edition)

Year Published: 1934
Author Last Name: Joyce
Author First Name: James
Publisher: Random House
Original Price: 3.50
Pages: 768

The true first edition of Ulysses was published in 1922 by Shakespeare and Company, Paris. These are exceptionally rare and valuable. Below is the criteria for the more common First (authorized) American Edition which was published 12 years after the Paris first edition.

First American Edition is stated on the copyright page with no statements of subsequent printings. Boards are cream-colored cloth with red and black lettering and dark brown top-stain. The designer of the dust jacket is Ernst Reichl, and there are two variant dust jackets: one with the designer's last name displayed vertically on the front panel, and the other without the name. While we have not seen evidence establishing a priority, we have observed that the variant with the designer's name tends to sell at a higher premium.


Photo of the 1934 American first edition dust jacket for Ulysses.


Picture of the first edition copyright page for Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.


Picture of dust jacket where original 3.50 price is found for Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.


Picture of the back dust jacket for the first edition of Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.


Picture of the first edition Random House boards for Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.


Picture of the back dust jacket flap for the first edition of Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.


Picture of the first edition title page for Ulysses (American Edition). Photo courtesy of Dale Swanton.