Tropic of Capricorn
by Henry Miller
Tropic of Capricorn is Henry Miller's semi-autobiographical novel, first published in English by the Obelisk Press in Paris in 1939. Drawing on his Brooklyn youth and years at Western Union, it was banned in the United States until a 1961 Justice Department ruling.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Obelisk Press, 1939
- First published
- Obelisk Press, Paris, 1939
The first edition of Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller was published in Paris by Obelisk Press in 1939. 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
Setting and characters
- Set in
- New York City
- Genre
- autobiographical novel, erotic literature
Read next
- Comes after
- Black Spring
- Followed by
- The Colossus of Maroussi
In print
- Editions recorded
- 69 on Open Library, 35 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 16 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
Pictures of the book
Freely licensed pictures of the work. They are not necessarily the edition you hold: check the points on each edition's page.
More by Henry Miller
CollectorsNot sure which edition you have, or want to tell other collectors about your copy?
Ask a question
Write a review
Read it or own it? Share what Tropic of Capricorn is like to read or collect.
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 Tropic of Capricorn?
The first edition of Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller was published in Paris by Obelisk Press in 1939.
How many editions of Tropic of Capricorn are there?
We track 2 editions of Tropic of Capricorn, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
What should I read after Tropic of Capricorn?
In order, it follows Black Spring and it is followed by The Colossus of Maroussi, according to Wikidata.
Where these facts come from
- Tropic of Capricorn (novel), Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Tropic of Capricorn editions, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 26 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.