The points of issue
Published in both London and New York in 1994; the Second Book of the Art, following The Great and Secret Show. The US first printing states First Edition with a full number line including 1. Limited issues exist: a UK numbered edition of 2,000 copies and a US signed limited of 500 numbered copies plus 26 lettered.
Is this the true first?
UK and US HarperCollins editions both appeared in 1994; precedence is not firmly established, and the official Barker bibliography lists the UK edition first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the jacket price and the full number line and are typically smaller than the trade edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Everville a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Published in both London and New York in 1994; the Second Book of the Art, following The Great and Secret Show. The US first printing states First Edition with a full number line including 1. Limited issues exist: a UK numbered edition of 2,000 copies and a US signed limited of 500 numbered copies plus 26 lettered.
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 and US HarperCollins editions both appeared in 1994; precedence is not firmly established, and the official Barker bibliography lists the UK edition first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club copies lack the jacket price and the full number line and are typically smaller than the trade edition.
I have a first edition of Everville — 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.