The points of issue
Satirical novella in hardcover boards with dust jacket. First-printing copies carry the full number line ending in 1 with no later-impression statement. Published 27 September 2019.
Is this the true first?
UK Cape hardcover (27 September 2019) is the true first. The US Anchor edition (October 2019) was a trade-paperback original, and Knopf Canada issued simultaneously, so the Cape hardcover precedes them.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition noted.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Cockroach a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Satirical novella in hardcover boards with dust jacket. First-printing copies carry the full number line ending in 1 with no later-impression statement. Published 27 September 2019.
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 Cape hardcover (27 September 2019) is the true first. The US Anchor edition (October 2019) was a trade-paperback original, and Knopf Canada issued simultaneously, so the Cape hardcover precedes them.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition noted.
I have a first edition of The Cockroach — 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.