# Is "The Autograph Man" by Zadie Smith a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith (Hamish Hamilton, 2002) is identified by: The UK first edition is bound in black paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering and red endpapers, with a full number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page. The UK Hamish Hamilton edition (September 2002) is the true first, preceding the US Random House edition (published October 2002), which is distinguished by its light-blue-stamped white paper-covered boards.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The UK first edition is bound in black paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering and red endpapers, with a full number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page
- The dust jacket should retain its printed price on the front flap
- Signed copies are signed by Zadie Smith on the title page
- Published September 2002
- Publisher imprint reads Hamish Hamilton
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Zadie Smith |
| Publisher | Hamish Hamilton |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The UK first edition is bound in black paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering and red endpapers, with a full number line counting… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
The UK first edition is bound in black paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering and red endpapers, with a full number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page. The dust jacket should retain its printed price on the front flap. Signed copies are signed by Zadie Smith on the title page. Published September 2002.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Hamish Hamilton edition (September 2002) is the true first, preceding the US Random House edition (published October 2002), which is distinguished by its light-blue-stamped white paper-covered boards.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions state the impression number on the copyright page; the true first shows the complete descending number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Autograph Man* by Zadie Smith a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-autograph-man
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.