The points of issue
First printing in publisher's cloth with dust jacket designed by Val Biro. Volume one of the Sword of Honour trilogy. Awarded the 1952 James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
Is this the true first?
UK Chapman & Hall is the true first; the US Little, Brown edition followed in 1952.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings appeared later.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Men at Arms a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in publisher's cloth with dust jacket designed by Val Biro. Volume one of the Sword of Honour trilogy. Awarded the 1952 James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
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 Chapman & Hall is the true first; the US Little, Brown edition followed in 1952.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club printings appeared later.
I have a first edition of Men at Arms — 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.