The points of issue
Two competing 2012 English-language firsts, both translated by Don Bartlett. UK Harvill Secker issued the volume as 'A Death in the Family' in hardcover, published 9 April 2012. US Archipelago Books issued it as 'My Struggle: Book One' as a trade paperback original, published 1 May 2012. The later 2014 Archipelago hardcover is explicitly marked 'Second Edition' on its copyright page because the 2012 Archipelago paperback preceded it.
Is this the true first?
On documented publication dates the UK Harvill Secker hardcover ('A Death in the Family,' 9 April 2012) actually precedes the US Archipelago paperback ('My Struggle: Book One,' 1 May 2012) by about three weeks, making the Harvill Secker the earliest English-language appearance. The two are best treated as competing firsts; collectors who require chronological priority should favour the Harvill Secker, while those who want the canonical American title and text take the Archipelago paperback.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. The trap is the 2014 Archipelago hardcover, which is marked 'Second Edition' and is not a first; the 2012 Archipelago paperback is the US true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of My Struggle: Book One (A Death in the Family) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Two competing 2012 English-language firsts, both translated by Don Bartlett. UK Harvill Secker issued the volume as 'A Death in the Family' in hardcover, published 9 April 2012. US Archipelago Books issued it as 'My Struggle: Book One' as a trade paperback original, published 1 May 2012. The later 2014 Archipelago hardcover is explicitly marked 'Second Edition' on its copyright page because the 2012 Archipelago paperback preceded it.
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. On documented publication dates the UK Harvill Secker hardcover ('A Death in the Family,' 9 April 2012) actually precedes the US Archipelago paperback ('My Struggle: Book One,' 1 May 2012) by about three weeks, making the Harvill Secker the earliest English-language appearance. The two are best trea
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. The trap is the 2014 Archipelago hardcover, which is marked 'Second Edition' and is not a first; the 2012 Archipelago paperback is the US true first.
I have a first edition of My Struggle: Book One (A Death in the Family) — 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.