The points of issue
True first is the London Heinemann 1962 hardcover, first impression, with no statement of a later printing. Volume six of A Dance to the Music of Time.
Is this the true first?
UK Heinemann 1962 is the true first; the first American edition (Little, Brown, Boston) also appeared in 1962.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions and book-club issues followed; a Little, Brown second printing exists, so verify first-printing status on the American edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Kindly Ones a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: True first is the London Heinemann 1962 hardcover, first impression, with no statement of a later printing. Volume six of A Dance to the Music of Time.
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 Heinemann 1962 is the true first; the first American edition (Little, Brown, Boston) also appeared in 1962.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later impressions and book-club issues followed; a Little, Brown second printing exists, so verify first-printing status on the American edition.
I have a first edition of The Kindly Ones — 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.