The points of issue
First UK edition, published November 1945 under the joint Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press imprint; publisher's yellow cloth, spine lettered in black, dust jacket; 118 pages; fragile War Economy production. First serialized in The Guardian, 1944 to 1945.
Is this the true first?
UK Bles/Centenary Press true first (November 1945); US Macmillan edition follows in 1946.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Great Divorce a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition, published November 1945 under the joint Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press imprint; publisher's yellow cloth, spine lettered in black, dust jacket; 118 pages; fragile War Economy production. First serialized in The Guardian, 1944 to 1945.
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 Bles/Centenary Press true first (November 1945); US Macmillan edition follows in 1946.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings differ.
I have a first edition of The Great Divorce — 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.