The points of issue
Faber & Faber, London, 1978. Copyright page states 'First published in 1978 by Faber and Faber'; issued in wrappers, with a scarcer hardcover-in-cloth state. Premiered at the Lyttelton, National Theatre, in April 1978. Per Faber convention the first printing carries no later-printing line.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber 1978 is the true first. US editions followed; an early US issue appeared via Nelson Doubleday, and the New American Library/Plume paperback came in 1983. The hardcover-in-cloth state is scarcer than the wrappers issue.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Faber 'David Hare Plays' collected volumes and later reissues carrying number lines are not the first. No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Plenty a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Faber & Faber, London, 1978. Copyright page states 'First published in 1978 by Faber and Faber'; issued in wrappers, with a scarcer hardcover-in-cloth state. Premiered at the Lyttelton, National Theatre, in April 1978. Per Faber convention the first printing carries no later-printing line.
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 1978 is the true first. US editions followed; an early US issue appeared via Nelson Doubleday, and the New American Library/Plume paperback came in 1983. The hardcover-in-cloth state is scarcer than the wrappers issue.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Faber 'David Hare Plays' collected volumes and later reissues carrying number lines are not the first. No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Plenty — 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.