The points of issue
First printing in original cloth and dust jacket; a collection of stories (Blandings Castle plus Mr Mulliner). The UK Herbert Jenkins edition under the full title Blandings Castle and Elsewhere (12 April 1935) precedes the US Doubleday, Doran edition (20 September 1935), issued under the shortened title Blandings Castle.
Is this the true first?
UK Herbert Jenkins is the true first under the full title Blandings Castle and Elsewhere (12 April 1935); the US Doubleday, Doran edition (20 September 1935) appeared as Blandings Castle.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Blandings Castle and Elsewhere a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in original cloth and dust jacket; a collection of stories (Blandings Castle plus Mr Mulliner). The UK Herbert Jenkins edition under the full title Blandings Castle and Elsewhere (12 April 1935) precedes the US Doubleday, Doran edition (20 September 1935), issued under the shortened title Blandings Castle.
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 Herbert Jenkins is the true first under the full title Blandings Castle and Elsewhere (12 April 1935); the US Doubleday, Doran edition (20 September 1935) appeared as Blandings Castle.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Blandings Castle and Elsewhere — 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.