The points of issue
One volume, issued as Volume VIII of the Wessex Novels collected set and the first separate book edition. The title page is dated 1896 although the book was actually published in November 1895. Points include the 1896-dated title page, the etched frontispiece of Christminster by H. Macbeth-Raeburn with its facing caption leaf, and Hardy's own map of 'The Wessex of the Novels' bound in the volume; issued in the green cloth of the Wessex series.
Is this the true first?
The Osgood, McIlvaine edition (title page dated 1896, published November 1895) is the first English book edition. A Harper American edition appeared at nearly the same time following serialization in Harper's Magazine; precedence between the two is debated, so confidence on which strictly precedes should remain modest.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later Macmillan collected-edition printings are not the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Jude the Obscure a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: One volume, issued as Volume VIII of the Wessex Novels collected set and the first separate book edition. The title page is dated 1896 although the book was actually published in November 1895. Points include the 1896-dated title page, the etched frontispiece of Christminster by H. Macbeth-Raeburn with its facing caption leaf, and Hardy's own map of 'The Wessex of the Novels' bound in the volume; issued in the green cloth of the Wessex series.
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 Osgood, McIlvaine edition (title page dated 1896, published November 1895) is the first English book edition. A Harper American edition appeared at nearly the same time following serialization in Harper's Magazine; precedence between the two is debated, so confidence on which strictly precedes s
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later Macmillan collected-edition printings are not the first.
I have a first edition of Jude the Obscure — 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.