The points of issue
States 'First published 1990' by Collins, London. Booker-shortlisted (lost to A.S. Byatt's Possession). Boards in dust jacket, priced.
Is this the true first?
The UK Collins edition (1990) is the true first; the US Doubleday edition follows in 1992. The UK precedes.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Gate of Angels a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: States 'First published 1990' by Collins, London. Booker-shortlisted (lost to A.S. Byatt's Possession). Boards in dust jacket, priced.
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 UK Collins edition (1990) is the true first; the US Doubleday edition follows in 1992. The UK precedes.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition.
I have a first edition of The Gate of Angels — 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.