The points of issue
First UK edition, Jonathan Cape, London, 1976. 'First published 1976' stated on the copyright page. Original cloth-backed boards in dust jacket (jacket art by Tom Adams). Winner of the 1976 Booker Prize.
Is this the true first?
The Jonathan Cape UK edition is the true first; the US Harper & Row edition followed.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US edition is later and carries a US imprint. No prominent book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Saville a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition, Jonathan Cape, London, 1976. 'First published 1976' stated on the copyright page. Original cloth-backed boards in dust jacket (jacket art by Tom Adams). Winner of the 1976 Booker Prize.
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 Jonathan Cape UK edition is the true first; the US Harper & Row edition followed.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The US edition is later and carries a US imprint. No prominent book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Saville — 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.