The points of issue
London: Faber & Faber, 1982. Ishiguro's first novel and scarce. Boards with gilt spine titles; first-issue dust jacket priced £6.25 net to the flap, unclipped. Copyright page states 'First published in 1982' with no later-impression statement.
Is this the true first?
The UK Faber edition (1982) is the true first, preceding the US Putnam edition (1982). The debut is the scarcest Ishiguro first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions add a printing statement; book-club copies lack the priced first-issue jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Pale View of Hills a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: London: Faber & Faber, 1982. Ishiguro's first novel and scarce. Boards with gilt spine titles; first-issue dust jacket priced £6.25 net to the flap, unclipped. Copyright page states 'First published in 1982' with no later-impression statement.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The UK Faber edition (1982) is the true first, preceding the US Putnam edition (1982). The debut is the scarcest Ishiguro first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later impressions add a printing statement; book-club copies lack the priced first-issue jacket.
I have a first edition of A Pale View of Hills — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.