The points of issue
English true first is the 1997 hardcover translated by Giovanni Pontiero and published by The Harvill Press, London (ISBN 1860462979). Confirm the 'First published 1997' statement on the copyright page; Harvill of this period typically used no number line, so rely on the dated statement and imprint. The first American edition is Harcourt Brace & Company, New York, 1998 (ISBN 0151002517), a year later, identified by the complete letter line 'ACEFDB'. The Harvill UK 1997 unambiguously precedes Harcourt and is the true first; the two were not simultaneous.
Is this the true first?
The English true first is The Harvill Press, London, 1997, in the Pontiero translation; the first American edition (Harcourt Brace, New York) is 1998. The Portuguese 'Ensaio sobre a cegueira' (Caminho, Lisbon, 1995) is the true first in any language.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No major club edition. Among English printings, Harvill UK 1997 precedes the 1998 Harcourt American first; check the dated Harvill copyright statement and the Harcourt 'ACEFDB' letter line. The absolute true first is the 1995 Caminho Portuguese edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Blindness a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: English true first is the 1997 hardcover translated by Giovanni Pontiero and published by The Harvill Press, London (ISBN 1860462979). Confirm the 'First published 1997' statement on the copyright page; Harvill of this period typically used no number line, so rely on the dated statement and imprint. The first American edition is Harcourt Brace & Company, New York, 1998 (ISBN 0151002517), a year later, identified by the complete letter line 'ACEFDB'. The Harvill UK 1997 unambiguously precedes Harcourt and is the true first; the two were not simultaneous.
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. The English true first is The Harvill Press, London, 1997, in the Pontiero translation; the first American edition (Harcourt Brace, New York) is 1998. The Portuguese 'Ensaio sobre a cegueira' (Caminho, Lisbon, 1995) is the true first in any language.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No major club edition. Among English printings, Harvill UK 1997 precedes the 1998 Harcourt American first; check the dated Harvill copyright statement and the Harcourt 'ACEFDB' letter line. The absolute true first is the 1995 Caminho Portuguese edition.
I have a first edition of Blindness — 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.