Book Covers
Over the years there have been many editions of Breakfast at Tiffany's in both hardcover and paperback. The covers have changed and become more movie centered as they progressed. A great site to check out all the editions covers is Biblio.com.
Capote was a popular author and this was his first release in 7 years. "His books were mostly published in relatively large (for the time and genre) first printings" (Congalton, n.d.) so it's important to look for quality copies when dealing with editions. The first edition hardcover was published by Signet in 1958 and had a noticeably orange veneer that has worn with time so collectors are constantly looking for in shape copies. This first edition also featured a drawing of Truman as a frontispiece that editions not re-printed from this run do not contain.
Capote was a popular author and this was his first release in 7 years. "His books were mostly published in relatively large (for the time and genre) first printings" (Congalton, n.d.) so it's important to look for quality copies when dealing with editions. The first edition hardcover was published by Signet in 1958 and had a noticeably orange veneer that has worn with time so collectors are constantly looking for in shape copies. This first edition also featured a drawing of Truman as a frontispiece that editions not re-printed from this run do not contain.
The first paperback edition captured more of the fun spirit of the book and gave an illustrated look at Holly. No frontispieces were added and it contained no really special front matter.
The sixth printing of the book came one month after the movie premiered in 1961 and set off the movie tie-in series of book covers.
The book has always been published by Signet although their name would change to Penguin or Penguin Random House. The covers continue to pour out although most are related not to the book concept of Holly Golightly but to entice the movie lovers to pick up the book by featuring Hepburn's look on the cover.
Capote was also known to sign a lot of copies of the book in the 50's and 60's. "However, the fact that his signature is so simply printed ("that's not writing, that's printing"), makes it an attractive example for forgers to attempt to master." (Congalton, n.d.)
Editions are still a pricey commodity. Rebecca Barry discusses how a book dealer named Petrucchio discovered "a second printing of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, purchased in Ohio off a $1 rolling cart, and earned them $299 in profit." (Barry, 2015)
Editions are still a pricey commodity. Rebecca Barry discusses how a book dealer named Petrucchio discovered "a second printing of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, purchased in Ohio off a $1 rolling cart, and earned them $299 in profit." (Barry, 2015)
Illustrated Edition
An illustrated edition was created in 2015 with an introduction by Jay McInerney and illustrations by Karen Klassen. One of the illustrations is below:
Digital Artifact
The physical book has been around since 1958, but thanks to issues over the rights people were unable to purchase an e-book copy of Breakfast until 2012. Vintage Press published the first digital version of this classic.
Citations
Barry, R. R. (2015). Rare Books Uncovered: True Stories of Fantastic Finds in Unlikely Places. Motorbooks Intl.
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' to come out as e-book. (n.d.). http://ew.com/article/2012/05/14/breakfast-at-tiffanys-ebook/
Congalton, T. (n.d.). Collecting Rare Books and First Editions: Truman Capote.
https://www.ilab.org/eng/documentation/415-collecting_rare_books_and_first_editions_truman_capote.html
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' to come out as e-book. (n.d.). http://ew.com/article/2012/05/14/breakfast-at-tiffanys-ebook/
Congalton, T. (n.d.). Collecting Rare Books and First Editions: Truman Capote.
https://www.ilab.org/eng/documentation/415-collecting_rare_books_and_first_editions_truman_capote.html