# Is "A Time of Gifts" by Patrick Leigh Fermor a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor (John Murray, 1977) is identified by: First edition: John Murray, London, 1977, in original blue buckram blocked in gilt with the illuminated device, illustrated by John Craxton (jacket art and a folding map bound between pp. The UK John Murray (London), 1977 issue is the true first and the collected first edition; the U.S.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition: John Murray, London, 1977, in original blue buckram blocked in gilt with the illuminated device, illustrated by John Craxton (jacket art and a folding map bound between pp
- A publisher's errata slip is laid in 'as issued,' noting that the illustrations facing pp
- 134 and 163 have been transposed — its presence is a recognized first-issue point (later printings correct the transposition and omit the slip)
- The dust jacket has the price present at the flap (priced jacket, unclipped)
- Full subtitle: 'On Foot to Constantinople: From the Hook of Holland to the Middle Danube.'
- Publisher imprint reads John Murray
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Patrick Leigh Fermor |
| Publisher | John Murray |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition: John Murray, London, 1977, in original blue buckram blocked in gilt with the illuminated device, illustrated by John Craxton… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First edition: John Murray, London, 1977, in original blue buckram blocked in gilt with the illuminated device, illustrated by John Craxton (jacket art and a folding map bound between pp. 16–17). A publisher's errata slip is laid in 'as issued,' noting that the illustrations facing pp. 134 and 163 have been transposed — its presence is a recognized first-issue point (later printings correct the transposition and omit the slip). The dust jacket has the price present at the flap (priced jacket, unclipped). Full subtitle: 'On Foot to Constantinople: From the Hook of Holland to the Middle Danube.'

## Is this the true first?
The UK John Murray (London), 1977 issue is the true first and the collected first edition; the U.S. edition followed the same year from Harper & Row, New York, 1977.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Book Society issue exists — the true first is NOT the Book Society printing; dealers specifically flag copies 'not published in conjunction with The Book Society.' Confirm the copy is the trade first and not the club issue.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *A Time of Gifts* by Patrick Leigh Fermor a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/a-time-of-gifts
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.