Is My Hardcover Infinite Jest a First Edition? How to Tell
You have a hardcover copy of David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest and you want to know if it’s a genuine first edition, first printing. At over 1,000 pages and roughly three pounds, it’s a physically distinctive book — but identifying the true first printing requires checking specific points on the copyright page, binding, and dust jacket.
The Quick Answer
A true first edition, first printing of Infinite Jest was published by Little, Brown and Company in February 1996 with a cover price of $29.95. The key identifier is the number line on the copyright page: a true first printing shows the complete sequence with “1” as the lowest number, typically reading “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.”
Step-by-Step Identification
Step 1: Check the Publisher
The title page must read Little, Brown and Company. If it says Back Bay Books, that’s the trade paperback edition (not a first edition). If it says any other publisher, it’s a foreign edition.
Step 2: Check the Copyright Page
Number line. Look for “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” — the presence of “1” confirms a first printing. If the lowest number is “2,” you have a second printing; “3” means third printing, and so on.
Copyright statement. Should read “Copyright © 1996 by David Foster Wallace.”
“First Edition” statement. Little, Brown typically stated “First Edition” on first printings during this period.
Step 3: Check the Binding
The first printing binding is:
- Blue cloth over boards (a distinctive medium blue)
- Spine lettered in silver, reading “WALLACE” and “INFINITE JEST” and “LITTLE, BROWN”
- The book is approximately 1,079 pages and notably thick and heavy
Step 4: Check the Dust Jacket
The first printing dust jacket features:
- A sky-blue and white cloud pattern covering the full jacket
- $29.95 price on the front flap
- Author photo on the rear panel (Wallace in his characteristic bandanna)
- The jacket has a slight matte/satin finish
Step 5: Rule Out Other Editions
Book club editions of Infinite Jest exist and look similar. Check for:
- No price on the jacket flap
- A blind-stamped indent on the rear board
- Lighter weight paper stock
The 10th Anniversary Edition (2006, Back Bay Books) is a trade paperback with a different cover design and an introduction by Dave Eggers. Not a first edition.
The 20th Anniversary Edition (2016) features a different jacket design. Not a first printing.
What Is My Copy Worth?
True First Edition, First Printing
Little, Brown printed an estimated 15,000–20,000 copies of the first printing — a large run for a literary novel in 1996, reflecting the publisher’s ambitions for Wallace. However, many copies were read hard (this is a book that invites aggressive reading), and Fine/Fine copies are scarcer than the print run suggests.
| Condition | Without Dust Jacket | With Dust Jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Fine/Fine | $800–$1,500 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Near Fine/Near Fine | $400–$800 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Very Good/Very Good | $200–$400 | $800–$2,000 |
| Good/Good | $75–$150 | $300–$800 |
Signed First Edition, First Printing
Wallace did sign books, though less prolifically than some of his contemporaries. He did bookstore events and university appearances, and he signed for friends and students. Signed copies exist but are not abundant.
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Signed, Fine/Fine | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Signed, Near Fine/Near Fine | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Inscribed to a named individual | Variable; +50–200% premium for significant inscriptions |
Wallace’s death in 2008 created a significant “death premium” — values increased 100–300% within two years of his death and have continued climbing.
Later Printings
| Printing | Value (with jacket) |
|---|---|
| Second printing | $100–$300 |
| Third–fifth printing | $50–$150 |
| Sixth printing and later | $20–$50 |
Advance Reading Copy (ARC)
The ARC/galley of Infinite Jest — the pre-publication review copy — is a separate collectible item:
- Softcover, printed wrappers
- “Advance Reading Copy” or “Uncorrected Proof” stated
- Value: $1,000–$3,000
Common Questions
Why is Infinite Jest so collectible?
Infinite Jest is the defining novel of the 1990s American literary scene — a maximalist, encyclopedic, darkly comic novel that became a cultural touchstone for a generation of readers. Its collectibility is driven by: Wallace’s canonical status (he is now taught in universities worldwide), the tragic narrative of his suicide in 2008, the book’s unusual physical presence (it is visually and physically distinctive on any shelf), and its role as a cultural signifier — owning a first edition Infinite Jest communicates something about the owner’s literary sensibility.
My copy is in rough shape — spine cracked, no jacket. Is it still worth anything?
A reading copy (Good condition, no jacket) of a first printing is worth $75–$150. The value is in the first-printing status rather than the condition. For copies in poor condition, the primary value is sentimental or reading value.
Is the British first edition worth collecting?
The UK first edition was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1996, the same year as the US edition. It is less common than the US edition (smaller UK print run) and has collector value ($500–$2,000 in Fine/Fine condition), but the US Little, Brown edition is considered the true first and commands higher prices.
I found a signed copy online for $1,000. Should I buy it?
Be cautious. Wallace forgeries exist in the market, particularly since his death increased values. At $1,000, a signed first would be significantly below market value — which is itself a red flag. Verify the seller’s reputation, ask for provenance (where and when was it signed?), and consider third-party authentication before purchasing any signed Wallace for less than current market rates.