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First-Edition Identification · Anthony Burgess

Is My Devil of a State a First Edition?

William Heinemann, 1961

The points of issue

First printing; original Heinemann jacket illustrated by John Rowland. UK Heinemann 1961 precedes US Norton 1962 (US jacket by Larry Lubin).

Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · William Heinemann first-edition guide.

Is this the true first?

UK Heinemann is the true first; US W. W. Norton followed in 1962.

Telling it from reprints & book-club editions

No book-club issue.

Frequently asked questions

Is my copy of Devil of a State a first edition?

Look for these first-edition points: First printing; original Heinemann jacket illustrated by John Rowland. UK Heinemann 1961 precedes US Norton 1962 (US jacket by Larry Lubin).

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 Heinemann is the true first; US W. W. Norton followed in 1962.

Is the book-club edition the same as the first?

No book-club issue.

I have a first edition of Devil of a State — 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.

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