The points of issue
Edward Arnold & Co., London, 1924 (published 6 June 1924) is the true first edition, trade printing of 5,000 copies; Kirkpatrick A10. First-impression points: title page dated 1924, NO mention of later printings on the verso, and 3 pages of publisher's ads at rear. BINDING: the first issue is in publisher's RED cloth (dark red/maroon) with black stamping — NOT blue. The "blue cloth" claim is wrong and in fact backwards: blue cloth is a later REMAINDER binding (James Cummins describes it as "an unrecorded variant issue, in blue (remainder) binding, not noted by Kirkpatrick"). NO recognized single-page misprint point identifies the first impression; the claimed misprint/textual point is unverifiable and not a standard bibliographic point (Forster's documented textual revisions belong to the later Abinger/Norton scholarly apparatus, not a first-impression identifier). UK Edward Arnold first DOES precede the US Harcourt, Brace, New York 1924 edition — that part is correct.
Is this the true first?
Edward Arnold London 1924 is the true first; Harcourt, Brace New York 1924 is the first US. The UK first impression precedes the US.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions noted on verso; US edition distinguished by imprint. Book club and reprint editions lack the first-issue binding and jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Passage to India a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Edward Arnold & Co., London, 1924 (published 6 June 1924) is the true first edition, trade printing of 5,000 copies; Kirkpatrick A10. First-impression points: title page dated 1924, NO mention of later printings on the verso, and 3 pages of publisher's ads at rear. BINDING: the first issue is in publisher's RED cloth (dark red/maroon) with black stamping — NOT blue. The "blue cloth" claim is wrong and in fact backwards: blue cloth is a later REMAINDER binding (James Cummins describes it as "an unrecorded variant issue, in blue (remainder) binding, not noted
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. Edward Arnold London 1924 is the true first; Harcourt, Brace New York 1924 is the first US. The UK first impression precedes the US.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later impressions noted on verso; US edition distinguished by imprint. Book club and reprint editions lack the first-issue binding and jacket.
I have a first edition of A Passage to India — 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.