The points of issue
Methuen, London, published the play in wrappers around the September 1983 Cottesloe/Royal National Theatre premiere, with the title-verso stating first publication in Great Britain and no later-printing line. Grove Press, New York, issued the US edition in 1984 in hardcover (with dust jacket) and in wrappers; the Grove hardcover is the desirable US state and carries a stated first-edition designation. Confirm the Grove hardcover by the printer's number line running to 1 on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
Precedence favors the UK Methuen edition: the play had its world premiere in London in September 1983 and Methuen published it around that time, ahead of the US premiere in early 1984 and the Grove US edition of 1984. Many collectors treat the Methuen London printing as the true first appearance in book form, with the Grove hardcover the preferred US state.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Methuen Student Editions and later Modern Plays reissues (with study apparatus and full number lines) are reprints, not firsts. No common book-club state is recorded.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Glengarry Glen Ross a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Methuen, London, published the play in wrappers around the September 1983 Cottesloe/Royal National Theatre premiere, with the title-verso stating first publication in Great Britain and no later-printing line. Grove Press, New York, issued the US edition in 1984 in hardcover (with dust jacket) and in wrappers; the Grove hardcover is the desirable US state and carries a stated first-edition designation. Confirm the Grove hardcover by the printer's number line running to 1 on the copyright page.
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. Precedence favors the UK Methuen edition: the play had its world premiere in London in September 1983 and Methuen published it around that time, ahead of the US premiere in early 1984 and the Grove US edition of 1984. Many collectors treat the Methuen London printing as the true first appearance in
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Methuen Student Editions and later Modern Plays reissues (with study apparatus and full number lines) are reprints, not firsts. No common book-club state is recorded.
I have a first edition of Glengarry Glen Ross — 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.