The First American Edition of The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Houghton Mifflin in 1977, is highly collectible. True first printings are identified by a full number line (10 to 1) and the words "First Printing" on the copyright page, and should include the original fold-out map of Beleriand. 
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  • Map: The definitive fold-out map of Beleriand should be tipped into the back of the book.
  • State/Printing: A true first printing must say "First Printing" on the copyright page alongside a number sequence ending in "1" (e.g., 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).
  • Misprint: First state copies often feature a minor typo on page 3, printing "father Giles" instead of "Farmer Giles".