The points of issue
Single short story (first published in The New Yorker) issued as a slim standalone hardcover; full number line counting down to 1. Published 7 November 2013.
Is this the true first?
UK Hamish Hamilton hardcover (November 2013) precedes the US Penguin edition (2013).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Embassy of Cambodia a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Single short story (first published in The New Yorker) issued as a slim standalone hardcover; full number line counting down to 1. Published 7 November 2013.
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 Hamish Hamilton hardcover (November 2013) precedes the US Penguin edition (2013).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of The Embassy of Cambodia — 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.