The points of issue
Hodder & Stoughton first edition, 1977; first-issue jacket priced £4.95 net on the front flap; verso carries a single 'First printed 1977' line.
Is this the true first?
UK Hodder & Stoughton (1977) precedes the US Knopf edition (1977); the UK Hodder printing is the true first. The second Karla novel.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions lack the original jacket price; later impressions add printing lines to the verso.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Honourable Schoolboy a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Hodder & Stoughton first edition, 1977; first-issue jacket priced £4.95 net on the front flap; verso carries a single 'First printed 1977' line.
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 Hodder & Stoughton (1977) precedes the US Knopf edition (1977); the UK Hodder printing is the true first. The second Karla novel.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions lack the original jacket price; later impressions add printing lines to the verso.
I have a first edition of The Honourable Schoolboy — 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.