The points of issue
First edition, Faber & Faber, London, 1943. A poetry collection and Durrell's first full collection from Faber, printed at the University Press, Glasgow. Issued in grey cloth with a printed dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber 1943 is the true first; no contemporary US edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue. Durrell regarded this as his poetic debut, though two small pamphlets preceded it.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Private Country a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, Faber & Faber, London, 1943. A poetry collection and Durrell's first full collection from Faber, printed at the University Press, Glasgow. Issued in grey cloth with a printed dust jacket.
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. UK Faber 1943 is the true first; no contemporary US edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue. Durrell regarded this as his poetic debut, though two small pamphlets preceded it.
I have a first edition of A Private Country — 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.