The points of issue
First UK edition published July 1942 by Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, London; grey cloth hardback in dust jacket; reprints, with some alterations, the first two BBC talk series; first impression has no reprint statement, and later Bles printings list impression dates.
Is this the true first?
UK Bles true first (July 1942); the US edition, retitled The Case for Christianity, followed from Macmillan in September 1943.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Superseded by Mere Christianity (1952); later impressions and the 1946 and later resettings differ in binding and are dated.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Broadcast Talks (US: The Case for Christianity) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition published July 1942 by Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, London; grey cloth hardback in dust jacket; reprints, with some alterations, the first two BBC talk series; first impression has no reprint statement, and later Bles printings list impression dates.
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 Bles true first (July 1942); the US edition, retitled The Case for Christianity, followed from Macmillan in September 1943.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Superseded by Mere Christianity (1952); later impressions and the 1946 and later resettings differ in binding and are dated.
I have a first edition of Broadcast Talks (US: The Case for Christianity) — 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.