The points of issue
First UK edition, Hamish Hamilton 2006. 'First published 2006' on the verso; original cloth boards with dust jacket. 2006 Booker winner. The US Atlantic Monthly Press edition also appeared in 2006; the UK Hamish Hamilton is the generally cited first.
Is this the true first?
The UK Hamish Hamilton edition is generally cited as the true first; the US Atlantic Monthly Press 2006 edition followed. Both carry a 2006 date.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US edition is US-priced. No prominent book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Inheritance of Loss a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First UK edition, Hamish Hamilton 2006. 'First published 2006' on the verso; original cloth boards with dust jacket. 2006 Booker winner. The US Atlantic Monthly Press edition also appeared in 2006; the UK Hamish Hamilton is the generally cited first.
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 edition is generally cited as the true first; the US Atlantic Monthly Press 2006 edition followed. Both carry a 2006 date.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The US edition is US-priced. No prominent book-club edition.
I have a first edition of The Inheritance of Loss — 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.