The points of issue
First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1978. Second volume of The Avignon Quintet; publisher's green cloth lettered in gilt, dust-jacket designed by David Gentleman.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber edition of 1978 is the true first; the US Viking edition followed in 1979.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Livia, or Buried Alive a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1978. Second volume of The Avignon Quintet; publisher's green cloth lettered in gilt, dust-jacket designed by David Gentleman.
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 Faber edition of 1978 is the true first; the US Viking edition followed in 1979.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Livia, or Buried Alive — 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.