The points of issue
Two volumes, first book edition, Chapman and Hall, London, 1855, in original brown cloth lettered in gilt with blind decoration. Follows serialization in Household Words (1854-55). The book text is revised and expanded over the serial: Gaskell's preface notes that short passages were inserted and new chapters added because the magazine format had constrained the story.
Is this the true first?
The London Chapman and Hall 1855 two-volume edition is the true first book edition, carrying the expanded text versus the serial. Note that a second edition also appeared in 1855, so confirm first-edition status rather than relying on the year alone.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A second edition was issued in 1855 (revising a misplaced passage), and later one-volume reprints are not the first. Verify the edition statement, not just the date.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of North and South a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Two volumes, first book edition, Chapman and Hall, London, 1855, in original brown cloth lettered in gilt with blind decoration. Follows serialization in Household Words (1854-55). The book text is revised and expanded over the serial: Gaskell's preface notes that short passages were inserted and new chapters added because the magazine format had constrained the story.
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. The London Chapman and Hall 1855 two-volume edition is the true first book edition, carrying the expanded text versus the serial. Note that a second edition also appeared in 1855, so confirm first-edition status rather than relying on the year alone.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A second edition was issued in 1855 (revising a misplaced passage), and later one-volume reprints are not the first. Verify the edition statement, not just the date.
I have a first edition of North and South — 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.