The points of issue
Edited by Christopher Tolkien. UK first impression, George Allen & Unwin, 1983; copyright page states first publication in 1983 with no later impression noted.
Is this the true first?
UK Allen & Unwin 1983 is the true first; the US Houghton Mifflin edition followed in February 1984.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club issues and later printings exist; a first impression states first publication in 1983 with no additional impression line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Book of Lost Tales, Part One (History of Middle-earth vol. 1) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Edited by Christopher Tolkien. UK first impression, George Allen & Unwin, 1983; copyright page states first publication in 1983 with no later impression noted.
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 Allen & Unwin 1983 is the true first; the US Houghton Mifflin edition followed in February 1984.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club issues and later printings exist; a first impression states first publication in 1983 with no additional impression line.
I have a first edition of The Book of Lost Tales, Part One (History of Middle-earth vol. 1) — 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.