Mary Jane Ward - The Snake Pit

Once again, the what have I got question. Both have the following
characteristics: size: 5.5" x 8.25"; 278 pages; published by Random House,
copyright 1946. From there they differ.


1 . This copy I have had for a while and am confident it is a book club book.
Green boards, gilt on front and spine, green tinted edge on top, no headband,
minimal information on the copyright page. As it was 1946, there would be no
slug on the back cover. No dust jacket.

2. This I got today and am trying to figure out. Blue boards with gilt on
front and spine, no tinting on top. It does have a headband. The Copyright
page states "First Printing" and the title page is reversed color - gray with
white type. Book #2 is definitely thicker than Book #1, indicating a better
quality paper was used. But, the dust jacket has no price and states "A
Book-of-the-Month Club Selection". Dust jackets, even with the BOMC comment are
supposed to state a $2.50 price. On the other hand, I can find no code written
top to bottom on the back endpages.


Possibilities:

1. #2 is a BOMC of the 1st printing and #1 is a later BCE. Did Random House
leave in "First Printing" on its BOMC editions in 1946?

2. #2 is a First, but has a BOMC dust jacket.


Any thoughts or helpful information?


Thanks in advance.


Francis A. Miniter