what is the call number of the oldest copy of ellison's shadow and the act

Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal.

You'd have to go into different libraries' websites and look it up -- look at the date of publication to determine which is the oldest.

Here are some libraries to try:

Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/index.html

NY Public Library
http://www.nypl.org/

Chicago Public Library
http://www.chipublib.org/

Los Angeles Public Library
http://www.lapl.org/

Others:
http://www.publiclibraries.com/

The book's title is Shadow and Act. There is no "the" in the title.

Here are ISBN numbers for two early hardcover editions:

Author: Ellison, Ralph
Publisher: Random House
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9781111528164
ISBN-10: 1111528160

Author: Ralph Ellison
Publisher: Secker And Warburg
Date published: 1967
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9780436146008
ISBN-10: 0436146002

The original publication of the book, by Random House, was in 1964. A worn first edition with dust jacket sells for about $200 now.

To find the call number of the oldest copy of Ellison's "Shadow and the Act," you would need to consult a library's catalog or database. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to locate this information:

1. Start by identifying the library where you believe the book might be located. This could be a specific library branch, a university library, or a national library, depending on the resources available to you.

2. Visit the library's website or catalog system. Most libraries have an online catalog that can be accessed from their websites. If you're unsure which library to check, you can start with larger libraries or well-known research institutions.

3. Navigate to the library's catalog or search function. Look for a search bar where you can enter the title, author, or keywords related to the book. Some catalogs provide advanced search options to narrow down the search results.

4. Enter the title "Shadow and the Act" by Ellison into the search bar. Make sure to select the appropriate search category, such as "Title," "Author," or "Keyword," depending on the catalog's options.

5. Browse through the search results and look for the oldest publication date listed. The publication date can help you determine which edition or version of the book is the oldest.

6. Once you have identified the oldest edition, usually indicated by the earliest publication date, click on the title or the book's details to access more information.

7. In the book's details, you should find the call number. Call numbers categorize books based on subject matter and are used to organize physical books on library shelves. The call number can consist of a combination of letters and numbers, such as Dewey Decimal Classification or Library of Congress Classification.

8. Note down the call number provided for the oldest copy of "Shadow and the Act." This call number will guide you to the specific location of the book in the library.

If you are unable to find the specific call number through the library's online catalog, you may try reaching out to the library's staff, whether by email, phone, or visiting in person, for further assistance.