The points of issue
French original Poulet aux prunes published by L'Association in 2004 is the true first. The first English-language edition is the Pantheon Books hardcover of 2006, translated by Anjali Singh, with a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page for the first printing.
Is this the true first?
The French L'Association edition of 2004 is the true first. The Pantheon hardcover of 2006 is the first edition in English.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux prunes) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: French original Poulet aux prunes published by L'Association in 2004 is the true first. The first English-language edition is the Pantheon Books hardcover of 2006, translated by Anjali Singh, with a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page for the first printing.
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 French L'Association edition of 2004 is the true first. The Pantheon hardcover of 2006 is the first edition in English.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux prunes) — 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.