The points of issue
First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1974. First volume of The Avignon Quintet; original boards, dust-jacket illustration by David Gentleman. Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber edition of 1974 is the true first; the US Viking edition followed in 1975.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Monsieur, or The Prince of Darkness a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1974. First volume of The Avignon Quintet; original boards, dust-jacket illustration by David Gentleman. Winner of the 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 Faber edition of 1974 is the true first; the US Viking edition followed in 1975.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Monsieur, or The Prince of Darkness — 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.