The points of issue
First printing, London 1965, in yellow cloth with black spine lettering, illustrated by Edward Pagram. Written in 1949, this was Burgess's earliest-composed novel though published later. The UK Sidgwick & Jackson edition precedes the US W. W. Norton edition of 1966.
Is this the true first?
UK Sidgwick & Jackson is the true first; the US Norton edition followed in 1966.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Vision of Battlements a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, London 1965, in yellow cloth with black spine lettering, illustrated by Edward Pagram. Written in 1949, this was Burgess's earliest-composed novel though published later. The UK Sidgwick & Jackson edition precedes the US W. W. Norton edition of 1966.
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 Sidgwick & Jackson is the true first; the US Norton edition followed in 1966.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of A Vision of Battlements — 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.