Passing
by Nella Larsen
Passing is a novel by Nella Larsen, first published in New York by Alfred A. Knopf in April 1929. Set mainly in 1920s Harlem, it follows two childhood friends who meet again, one of whom has been passing as white and hiding her ancestry from her racist husband.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Knopf, 1929
- First published
- Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1929
The first edition of Passing by Nella Larsen was published in New York, USA & by Knopf in 1929. We track 2 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
Later and other editions
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Adaptations
- Passing film, 2021
Setting and characters
- Set in
- New York City
In print
- Editions recorded
- 74 on Open Library, 53 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 5 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Nella Larsen
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Know what you are looking at
How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook Condition Grading: Fine to Poor Explained
Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Passing?
The first edition of Passing by Nella Larsen was published in New York, USA & by Knopf in 1929.
How many editions of Passing are there?
We track 2 editions of Passing, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Has Passing been adapted?
Yes, including Passing (film, 2021), according to Wikidata.
Where these facts come from
- Passing (novel), Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Passing editions, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 18 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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