# Is "Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (William Morrow, 2005) is identified by: US William Morrow hardcover published September 20, 2005, with First Edition stated and a full number line; UK Headline hardcover also 2005. US Morrow and UK Headline both 2005; generally treated as co-firsts, with the US Morrow the standard collected edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US William Morrow hardcover published September 20, 2005, with First Edition stated and a full number line
- UK Headline hardcover also 2005
- Signed US firsts are common from Gaiman's extensive tour signings
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Neil Gaiman |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 2005 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US William Morrow hardcover published September 20, 2005, with First Edition stated and a full number line |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
US William Morrow hardcover published September 20, 2005, with First Edition stated and a full number line; UK Headline hardcover also 2005. Signed US firsts are common from Gaiman's extensive tour signings.

## Is this the true first?
US Morrow and UK Headline both 2005; generally treated as co-firsts, with the US Morrow the standard collected edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings differ; a first printing requires the complete number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Anansi Boys* by Neil Gaiman a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/anansi-boys
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.