The points of issue
First printing in red (rose linen-grain) cloth lettered in gilt on front cover and spine, with "Chapman & Hall" at the foot of the spine. The whole edition (about 1,500 copies) was printed from a single casting of type; the publisher added "Second Edition," "Third Edition," and "Fourth Edition" to some title pages to feign strong sales, so the true first bears no edition statement on the title page. Scarce.
Is this the true first?
UK Chapman & Hall is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue; beware later "edition" statements struck from the same setting of type.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Bishop's Apron a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing in red (rose linen-grain) cloth lettered in gilt on front cover and spine, with "Chapman & Hall" at the foot of the spine. The whole edition (about 1,500 copies) was printed from a single casting of type; the publisher added "Second Edition," "Third Edition," and "Fourth Edition" to some title pages to feign strong sales, so the true first bears no edition statement on the title page. Scarce.
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 Chapman & Hall is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue; beware later "edition" statements struck from the same setting of type.
I have a first edition of The Bishop's Apron — 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.