The points of issue
States 'First published 1989' by Viking on the copyright page. Cloth boards in a priced dust jacket. Won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize and the Cheltenham Prize.
Is this the true first?
UK Viking (1989) is the true first. The US Holt edition came much later (2000). The UK strongly precedes.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Fludd a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: States 'First published 1989' by Viking on the copyright page. Cloth boards in a priced dust jacket. Won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize and the Cheltenham Prize.
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 Viking (1989) is the true first. The US Holt edition came much later (2000). The UK strongly precedes.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Fludd — 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.