The points of issue
First UK edition, John Murray, London, 1975. 'First published 1975' stated on the copyright page, with no later impression line. Original cloth in dust jacket; some copies retain the Booker Prize promotional wraparound band. Winner of the 1975 Booker Prize.
Is this the true first?
The John Murray UK edition is the true first; the US Harper & Row edition followed (1976).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US edition carries a US imprint and is later. No prominent book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Heat and Dust a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition, John Murray, London, 1975. 'First published 1975' stated on the copyright page, with no later impression line. Original cloth in dust jacket; some copies retain the Booker Prize promotional wraparound band. Winner of the 1975 Booker 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. The John Murray UK edition is the true first; the US Harper & Row edition followed (1976).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The US edition carries a US imprint and is later. No prominent book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Heat and Dust — 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.