The points of issue
Ackroyd's first novel; hardcover in boards with gilt-lettered spine; copyright page reads 'First published 1982' (ISBN 0241107040); original priced dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
The UK Hamish Hamilton 1982 hardcover is the true first; the US edition (Chicago Review Press) followed later in the decade.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition of note; genuinely scarce in the original jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Great Fire of London a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ackroyd's first novel; hardcover in boards with gilt-lettered spine; copyright page reads 'First published 1982' (ISBN 0241107040); original priced dust jacket.
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 Hamish Hamilton 1982 hardcover is the true first; the US edition (Chicago Review Press) followed later in the decade.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition of note; genuinely scarce in the original jacket.
I have a first edition of The Great Fire of London — 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.