The points of issue
The true first is the US edition, published 4 April 1960 by Simon & Schuster, New York, under the title How Right You Are, Jeeves. The UK edition, titled Jeeves in the Offing (Herbert Jenkins, London), did not appear until 12 August 1960, about four months later.
Is this the true first?
Corrected: the original record named the UK Jenkins edition as the true first, but the US edition (as How Right You Are, Jeeves, 4 April 1960) precedes the UK edition (as Jeeves in the Offing, 12 August 1960) by roughly four months. The true first is therefore the US printing under the title How Right You Are, Jeeves; the UK title Jeeves in the Offing is the first UK appearance and the title under which the novel is now usually known.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue noted. The two editions differ only in title, not substantially in text.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Jeeves in the Offing a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The true first is the US edition, published 4 April 1960 by Simon & Schuster, New York, under the title How Right You Are, Jeeves. The UK edition, titled Jeeves in the Offing (Herbert Jenkins, London), did not appear until 12 August 1960, about four months later.
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. Corrected: the original record named the UK Jenkins edition as the true first, but the US edition (as How Right You Are, Jeeves, 4 April 1960) precedes the UK edition (as Jeeves in the Offing, 12 August 1960) by roughly four months. The true first is therefore the US printing under the title How Rig
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue noted. The two editions differ only in title, not substantially in text.
I have a first edition of Jeeves in the Offing — 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.