The points of issue
US Arbor House first US edition, 1978, titled 'Eye of the Needle,' with the 'First Edition' statement. This is the edition under the awarded title; the novel won the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel. The earlier UK Macdonald & Jane's edition, 1978, was published under the original title 'Storm Island.'
Is this the true first?
The true first edition is the UK Macdonald & Jane's 'Storm Island' (1978), which preceded the US Arbor House 'Eye of the Needle' (1978). The US Arbor House is the first US edition and bears the title under which the book was awarded the Edgar.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions (Book-of-the-Month Club / Literary Guild) are smaller, lack the dust-jacket price, and may lack the number line. On the UK 'Storm Island' first issue, both priced and price-clipped/unpriced export dust jackets are accepted as first-state.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Eye of the Needle a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Arbor House first US edition, 1978, titled 'Eye of the Needle,' with the 'First Edition' statement. This is the edition under the awarded title; the novel won the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel. The earlier UK Macdonald & Jane's edition, 1978, was published under the original title 'Storm Island.'
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. The true first edition is the UK Macdonald & Jane's 'Storm Island' (1978), which preceded the US Arbor House 'Eye of the Needle' (1978). The US Arbor House is the first US edition and bears the title under which the book was awarded the Edgar.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions (Book-of-the-Month Club / Literary Guild) are smaller, lack the dust-jacket price, and may lack the number line. On the UK 'Storm Island' first issue, both priced and price-clipped/unpriced export dust jackets are accepted as first-state.
I have a first edition of The Eye of the Needle — 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.