The points of issue
Published in both London and New York in 1996. The US first printing states First Edition with a full number line including 1; dealers consistently cite the complete number line as the key identifier of the first printing.
Is this the true first?
UK and US HarperCollins editions both appeared in 1996; precedence is not firmly established, and the official Barker bibliography lists the UK edition first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Both UK (Book Club Associates) and US book club editions exist: no price on the jacket and no full number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Sacrament a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Published in both London and New York in 1996. The US first printing states First Edition with a full number line including 1; dealers consistently cite the complete number line as the key identifier of the first printing.
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 and US HarperCollins editions both appeared in 1996; precedence is not firmly established, and the official Barker bibliography lists the UK edition first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Both UK (Book Club Associates) and US book club editions exist: no price on the jacket and no full number line.
I have a first edition of Sacrament — 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.