The points of issue
First edition, 1956, of the sequel essay to The Doors of Perception, published in London by Chatto & Windus and in New York by Harper & Brothers. Both editions are dated 1956.
Is this the true first?
Both the London (Chatto & Windus) and New York (Harper & Brothers) editions appeared in 1956 and a firm priority of one over the other is not established by the standard bibliographies; the UK edition cannot be asserted as the unambiguous true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue of the true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Heaven and Hell a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, 1956, of the sequel essay to The Doors of Perception, published in London by Chatto & Windus and in New York by Harper & Brothers. Both editions are dated 1956.
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. Both the London (Chatto & Windus) and New York (Harper & Brothers) editions appeared in 1956 and a firm priority of one over the other is not established by the standard bibliographies; the UK edition cannot be asserted as the unambiguous true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue of the true first.
I have a first edition of Heaven and Hell — 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.