The points of issue
W.H. Allen (London) hardcover first edition, 1989; copyright page states first publication in Great Britain in 1989 by W.H. Allen.
Is this the true first?
The W.H. Allen UK hardcover is the true first; the US Onyx paperback followed in 1990, and Headline only reprinted the title later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition is commonly reported; confirm the W.H. Allen imprint and first-publication statement, and do not mistake later Headline reissues for the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Funland a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: W.H. Allen (London) hardcover first edition, 1989; copyright page states first publication in Great Britain in 1989 by W.H. Allen.
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 W.H. Allen UK hardcover is the true first; the US Onyx paperback followed in 1990, and Headline only reprinted the title later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition is commonly reported; confirm the W.H. Allen imprint and first-publication statement, and do not mistake later Headline reissues for the first.
I have a first edition of Funland — 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.