The points of issue
First edition, first impression in publisher's cloth with dust jacket. Huxley's last novel, a utopian counterpart to Brave New World. The UK Chatto & Windus edition is the true first; the US Harper edition followed the same year.
Is this the true first?
UK Chatto & Windus 1962 is the true first. The US Harper edition is also dated 1962 but is treated as the secondary issue, Huxley being a British author published by Chatto.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue identified for the first appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Island a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first impression in publisher's cloth with dust jacket. Huxley's last novel, a utopian counterpart to Brave New World. The UK Chatto & Windus edition is the true first; the US Harper edition followed the same year.
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 Chatto & Windus 1962 is the true first. The US Harper edition is also dated 1962 but is treated as the secondary issue, Huxley being a British author published by Chatto.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue identified for the first appearance.
I have a first edition of Island — 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.