The points of issue
First printing of the Keats and Belli novella with the sequence of translated sonnets. The London Faber and Faber edition of 1977, an octavo of about 127 pages in papered boards, is the originating edition.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber and Faber 1977 is the true first; a US Little, Brown edition also appeared in 1977.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue identified.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Abba Abba a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing of the Keats and Belli novella with the sequence of translated sonnets. The London Faber and Faber edition of 1977, an octavo of about 127 pages in papered boards, is the originating edition.
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 and Faber 1977 is the true first; a US Little, Brown edition also appeared in 1977.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue identified.
I have a first edition of Abba Abba — 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.