The points of issue
UK first (Bloomsbury, 1999). The true first state requires three points together: the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page; the copyright credited to 'Joanne Rowling' rather than 'J. K. Rowling'; and the dropped/incorrectly broken line of text on page 7 (after the word 'burnt'). Printer line reads Clays Ltd, St Ives plc. The print run was halted when the 'Joanne Rowling' error was noticed, so the first state is genuinely scarce. The copyright page should show only 'Bloomsbury' and '1999'.
Is this the true first?
UK Bloomsbury is the true first, ahead of the US Scholastic edition (also 1999). The decisive first-state points are the 'Joanne Rowling' copyright credit, the page 7 dropped line, and the complete 10-to-1 number line. Bibliographer Philip Errington records about 5,150 first-impression copies, of which roughly 2,500 are first state.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Second-state and later printings correct the copyright to 'J. K. Rowling' and fix the page 7 text. Book-club and gift printings (for example those carrying a Ted Smart / Book People imprint) are not the trade first. A copy lacking the 'Joanne Rowling' credit and the page 7 fault is not the first state regardless of the number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: UK first (Bloomsbury, 1999). The true first state requires three points together: the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page; the copyright credited to 'Joanne Rowling' rather than 'J. K. Rowling'; and the dropped/incorrectly broken line of text on page 7 (after the word 'burnt'). Printer line reads Clays Ltd, St Ives plc. The print run was halted when the 'Joanne Rowling' error was noticed, so the first state is genuinely scarce. The copyright page should show only 'Bloomsbury' and '1999'.
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 Bloomsbury is the true first, ahead of the US Scholastic edition (also 1999). The decisive first-state points are the 'Joanne Rowling' copyright credit, the page 7 dropped line, and the complete 10-to-1 number line. Bibliographer Philip Errington records about 5,150 first-impression copies, of wh
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Second-state and later printings correct the copyright to 'J. K. Rowling' and fix the page 7 text. Book-club and gift printings (for example those carrying a Ted Smart / Book People imprint) are not the trade first. A copy lacking the 'Joanne Rowling' credit and the page 7 fault is not the first state regardless of the number line.
I have a first edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — 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.