The points of issue
First UK edition 1955; original cloth, dust jacket; no later-impression statement.
Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder.
Is this the true first?
UK Bles true first; US Harcourt Brace 1956 follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition 1955; original cloth, dust jacket; no later-impression 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. UK Bles true first; US Harcourt Brace 1956 follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings differ.
I have a first edition of Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life — 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.