# Is "The Conservationist" by Nadine Gordimer a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer (Jonathan Cape, 1974) is identified by: The first UK edition, Jonathan Cape 1974 (ISBN 0224010352), states 'First published 1974' on the verso with no later printing indicated, in original boards and dust jacket (jacket design by Craig Dodd). The UK Jonathan Cape 1974 edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The first UK edition, Jonathan Cape 1974 (ISBN 0224010352), states 'First published 1974' on the verso with no later printing indicated, in original boards and dust jacket (jacket design by Craig Dodd)
- Some copies retain the elusive wrap-around band announcing it as joint winner of the 1974 Booker Prize
- It was co-winner of the 1974 Booker with Stanley Middleton's 'Holiday'
- Gordimer received the Nobel in 1991
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Nadine Gordimer |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 1974 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The first UK edition, Jonathan Cape 1974 (ISBN 0224010352), states 'First published 1974' on the verso with no later printing indicated, in… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The first UK edition, Jonathan Cape 1974 (ISBN 0224010352), states 'First published 1974' on the verso with no later printing indicated, in original boards and dust jacket (jacket design by Craig Dodd). Some copies retain the elusive wrap-around band announcing it as joint winner of the 1974 Booker Prize. It was co-winner of the 1974 Booker with Stanley Middleton's 'Holiday'; Gordimer received the Nobel in 1991.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Jonathan Cape 1974 edition is the true first. The US Viking edition followed in 1975.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Viking US edition is later and US-priced. No prominent book-club edition is associated with the true first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Conservationist* by Nadine Gordimer a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-conservationist
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.