The points of issue
Jonathan Cape London 1981. Publisher's boards, dust jacket priced. UK first precedes US Simon & Schuster 1981.
Is this the true first?
Jonathan Cape London 1981 is the true first; Simon & Schuster New York 1981 is the first US.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions noted on copyright page; US edition distinguished by imprint and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Comfort of Strangers a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Jonathan Cape London 1981. Publisher's boards, dust jacket priced. UK first precedes US Simon & Schuster 1981.
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. Jonathan Cape London 1981 is the true first; Simon & Schuster New York 1981 is the first US.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later impressions noted on copyright page; US edition distinguished by imprint and pricing.
I have a first edition of The Comfort of Strangers — 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.