The points of issue
First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1958. Second collection of Antrobus diplomatic sketches (following Esprit de Corps), with line illustrations and jacket by Nicolas Bentley.
Is this the true first?
UK Faber edition of 1958 is the true first; the US Dutton edition followed in 1959.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Stiff Upper Lip a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, Faber and Faber, London, 1958. Second collection of Antrobus diplomatic sketches (following Esprit de Corps), with line illustrations and jacket by Nicolas Bentley.
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 edition of 1958 is the true first; the US Dutton edition followed in 1959.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Stiff Upper Lip — 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.