The points of issue
First English-language edition: Pantheon Books hardcover, 2005, translated by Anjali Singh, with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page indicating the first printing. The French original Broderies (L'Association, 2003) is the true first appearance in any language.
Is this the true first?
The true first is the French Broderies (L'Association, 2003). The Pantheon hardcover of 2005 is the first edition in English.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Embroideries a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First English-language edition: Pantheon Books hardcover, 2005, translated by Anjali Singh, with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page indicating the first printing. The French original Broderies (L'Association, 2003) is the true first appearance in any language.
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 true first is the French Broderies (L'Association, 2003). The Pantheon hardcover of 2005 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 Embroideries — 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.