The points of issue
English true first is the Kodansha International 1989 hardcover, translated by Alfred Birnbaum (ISBN 0870119052), in purple paper-covered boards with quarter green cloth and silver spine lettering, in the blue dust jacket with the ram design by Shigeo Okamoto. Jacket priced on the flap. The first Murakami novel published in English for the trade and the earliest collectible Murakami in English.
Is this the true first?
Kodansha International 1989 is the first English-language trade edition; the Japanese '羊をめぐる冒険' (Kodansha, 1982) is the true first in any language. Earliest widely collected Murakami in English.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No club edition; later Vintage and Penguin paperbacks are not firsts. The 1982 Japanese edition is the absolute true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Wild Sheep Chase a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: English true first is the Kodansha International 1989 hardcover, translated by Alfred Birnbaum (ISBN 0870119052), in purple paper-covered boards with quarter green cloth and silver spine lettering, in the blue dust jacket with the ram design by Shigeo Okamoto. Jacket priced on the flap. The first Murakami novel published in English for the trade and the earliest collectible Murakami in English.
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. Kodansha International 1989 is the first English-language trade edition; the Japanese '羊をめぐる冒険' (Kodansha, 1982) is the true first in any language. Earliest widely collected Murakami in English.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No club edition; later Vintage and Penguin paperbacks are not firsts. The 1982 Japanese edition is the absolute true first.
I have a first edition of A Wild Sheep Chase — 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.