The points of issue
The true first is the South African edition: Ravan Press, Johannesburg, 1983 (ISBN 086975159X), which multiple specialist dealers identify as the genuine first edition of Coetzee's first Booker Prize-winning novel; it was printed and bound in Britain for the South African publisher. The UK Secker & Warburg 1983 edition (black boards, gilt spine, laminated pictorial dust wrapper, jacket priced in sterling, ISBN 0436102978) is a near-simultaneous issue but is treated as secondary to the Ravan printing. Both 1983 editions precede the US Viking edition of 1984.
Is this the true first?
True first is the South African Ravan Press 1983 edition, not the UK Secker. The UK Secker & Warburg 1983 and US Viking 1984 are later. Won the 1983 Booker Prize.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant club edition; the main pitfall is the UK Secker or US Viking issue being offered as 'the first' when specialists give the Ravan Press (SA) 1983 priority.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Life & Times of Michael K a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The true first is the South African edition: Ravan Press, Johannesburg, 1983 (ISBN 086975159X), which multiple specialist dealers identify as the genuine first edition of Coetzee's first Booker Prize-winning novel; it was printed and bound in Britain for the South African publisher. The UK Secker & Warburg 1983 edition (black boards, gilt spine, laminated pictorial dust wrapper, jacket priced in sterling, ISBN 0436102978) is a near-simultaneous issue but is treated as secondary to the Ravan printing. Both 1983 editions precede the US Viking edition of 1984.
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. True first is the South African Ravan Press 1983 edition, not the UK Secker. The UK Secker & Warburg 1983 and US Viking 1984 are later. Won the 1983 Booker Prize.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No significant club edition; the main pitfall is the UK Secker or US Viking issue being offered as 'the first' when specialists give the Ravan Press (SA) 1983 priority.
I have a first edition of Life & Times of Michael K — 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.