# Is "Grimus" by Salman Rushdie a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Grimus by Salman Rushdie (Victor Gollancz, 1975) is identified by: London: Victor Gollancz, 1975. The UK Gollancz edition (1975) is the true first, preceding the US Overlook Press edition (1979).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- London: Victor Gollancz, 1975
- Rushdie's scarce first novel, a work of fantasy and science fiction
- Publisher's lilac boards, gilt spine titles; first-issue dust jacket printed in dark blue and purple, with its printed price to the flap, unclipped
- Copyright page reads 'First published 1975'
- Genuinely uncommon as Rushdie's debut
- Publisher imprint reads Victor Gollancz
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Salman Rushdie |
| Publisher | Victor Gollancz |
| Year | 1975 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | London: Victor Gollancz, 1975 |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
London: Victor Gollancz, 1975. Rushdie's scarce first novel, a work of fantasy and science fiction. Publisher's lilac boards, gilt spine titles; first-issue dust jacket printed in dark blue and purple, with its printed price to the flap, unclipped. Copyright page reads 'First published 1975'. Genuinely uncommon as Rushdie's debut.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Gollancz edition (1975) is the true first, preceding the US Overlook Press edition (1979). The debut is the scarcest Rushdie first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions add a printing statement; the US edition is much later (1979) and a separate setting.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Grimus* by Salman Rushdie a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/grimus
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.