The points of issue
First printing, first issue; school stories collection. Published 10 November 1903 with twelve plates by Whitwell, Pocock, and Skinner. First-issue point: the quotation marks on the title page are left unclosed after the listed earlier titles (corrected in later issues).
Is this the true first?
UK A & C Black is the true first (10 November 1903); the US Macmillan edition followed (New York, December 1903, from imported sheets).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Tales of St. Austin's a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, first issue; school stories collection. Published 10 November 1903 with twelve plates by Whitwell, Pocock, and Skinner. First-issue point: the quotation marks on the title page are left unclosed after the listed earlier titles (corrected in later issues).
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 A & C Black is the true first (10 November 1903); the US Macmillan edition followed (New York, December 1903, from imported sheets).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Tales of St. Austin's — 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.