The points of issue
Serialized as Palestine issues 1 to 9 (Fantagraphics, 1993 to 1995). First collected book form: the two-part set Palestine: A Nation Occupied (collecting issues 1 to 5) and Palestine: In the Gaza Strip (collecting issues 6 to 9), Fantagraphics, 1996. The single-volume Palestine collection with Edward Said's introduction (Fantagraphics, 2001, ISBN 1-56097-432-X / 9781560974321) is the most cited collected book edition. Verify the Fantagraphics imprint and first-printing statement.
Is this the true first?
The 1993 to 1995 single issues are the true first appearance of Sacco's comics journalism here. The two-part collected set appeared in 1996; the canonical single-volume collected book is the 2001 edition introduced by Edward Said. Distinguish serial issues, the 1996 two-volume collection, and the 2001 single-volume edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. The 2001 Said-introduced single-volume collection is told apart from the earlier 1996 two-part set by title, contents (all nine issues in one volume), and the presence of Said's introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Palestine a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Serialized as Palestine issues 1 to 9 (Fantagraphics, 1993 to 1995). First collected book form: the two-part set Palestine: A Nation Occupied (collecting issues 1 to 5) and Palestine: In the Gaza Strip (collecting issues 6 to 9), Fantagraphics, 1996. The single-volume Palestine collection with Edward Said's introduction (Fantagraphics, 2001, ISBN 1-56097-432-X / 9781560974321) is the most cited collected book edition. Verify the Fantagraphics imprint and first-printing statement.
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 1993 to 1995 single issues are the true first appearance of Sacco's comics journalism here. The two-part collected set appeared in 1996; the canonical single-volume collected book is the 2001 edition introduced by Edward Said. Distinguish serial issues, the 1996 two-volume collection, and the 20
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. The 2001 Said-introduced single-volume collection is told apart from the earlier 1996 two-part set by title, contents (all nine issues in one volume), and the presence of Said's introduction.
I have a first edition of Palestine — 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.