The American Language
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Knopf, 1919
The first edition of The American Language by H. L. Mencken was published in New York by Knopf in 1919. 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
In print
- Editions recorded
- 53 on Open Library, 47 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 14 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by H. L. Mencken
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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 …
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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 The American Language?
The first edition of The American Language by H. L. Mencken was published in New York by Knopf in 1919.
How many editions of The American Language are there?
We track 2 editions of The American Language, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Can I read The American Language for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.