The points of issue
First UK edition, first printing, published 5 October 1905. Wodehouse school story (Eckleton), serialized earlier in The Captain. Eight black-and-white plates after Whitwell, red pictorial cloth, with a short preface by Wodehouse and dedication 'To my father'.
Is this the true first?
UK A & C Black is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Head of Kay's a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition, first printing, published 5 October 1905. Wodehouse school story (Eckleton), serialized earlier in The Captain. Eight black-and-white plates after Whitwell, red pictorial cloth, with a short preface by Wodehouse and dedication 'To my father'.
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 A & C Black is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of The Head of Kay's — 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.