I would like to find out the exact publication date for this book.  I
know the first edition was published in 1938.  I'm looking for the
month and day.  Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 11 Sep 2004 00:03 PDT

I can tell you the exact month and the probable week, but I'm not sure
if it'll be possible to pinpoint an exact DAY.

Would month and probable week be acceptable?

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Clarification of Question by sklatt-ga on 11 Sep 2004 00:05 PDT

Hello Juggler-ga, the exact month and probable week will definitely
work for me.  Thanks!

Hello.

Richard Wright's "Uncle Tom's Children" was likely published in the
week of March 21, 1938.

On Sunday, March 27, 1938, the New York Times listed the book as one
of the "Latest Books Received."
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nytimes/results.html?st=advanced&QryTxt=&x=0&y=0&By=&Title=books+received&datetype=6&frommonth=03&fromday=27&fromyear=1938&tomonth=03&today=27&toyear=1938&restrict=articles&sortby=REVERSE_CHRON
 
As such, "Uncle Tom's Children" was likely published during week
preceding March 27, 1937.  A major publisher such as Harper would
almost certainly have sent a copy to the NY Times in the very first
week of publication.

Notice that the reviews of the book started trickling in beginning
March 25, 1938, which is consistent with publication during the week
of the 21st.
See this page from the University of Virginia:
http://etext.virginia.edu/railton/enam982/wrightrev.html


On February 15, 1938, the New York Times had reported that "Uncle
Tom's Children" by Richard Wright would be "published next month"
(meaning March).
source:
"Negro Writer Wins Story Contest"
New York Times; Feb 15, 1938; pg. 14 
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nytimes/results.html?st=advanced&QryTxt=%22uncle+tom%27s+children%22&x=22&y=12&By=&Title=&datetype=6&frommonth=02&fromday=15&fromyear=1938&tomonth=02&today=15&toyear=1938&restrict=articles&sortby=REVERSE_CHRON


As you may know, your book was first printed in February 1938.  The
notation B-N that you mention in your other question indicates
February (B) 1938 (N).
See:
Harper's First Edition Codes
http://www.zanegreysws.org/harper.htm
Tips on Evaluating Mark Twain books:
http://pages.prodigy.net/arkent/_import/pages.prodigy.net/arkent/index8.html

As such, your copy was clearly printed prior to the book's initial
March publication.
--------
search strategy:
I accessed the New York Times historical archive via my local public
library. I searched for the phrase "uncle tom's children."

I hope this helps.

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 11 Sep 2004 00:49 PDT

Sorry for that typo in the third sentence:

Should be :

"...week preceding March 27, 1938... "

Wow, what a fabulous job!!  Thanks so muc!!

Thank you very much for the tip.
-juggler