The points of issue
Both the UK and US firsts appeared in 1924 from Putnam, with a frontispiece by S.H. Sime. The UK has precedence: a signed limited edition of 250 numbered copies issued in May 1924, followed by the UK trade edition in June; the New York Putnam edition followed in October. Distinguish UK from US by the title-page imprint (the London and New York imprint denotes the UK issue; the imprint beginning with New York denotes the US issue), and confirm the 1924 date with no later printing line.
Is this the true first?
The UK Putnam edition takes precedence, led by the May 1924 signed limited edition of 250 copies, then the June trade edition; the New York Putnam edition is the US first, issued in October 1924. A cornerstone of pre-Tolkien fantasy.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition applies; the trap is the Ballantine Adult Fantasy paperback and other later reprints. Verify the 1924 Putnam imprint and use the title-page imprint to tell UK from US.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The King of Elfland's Daughter a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Both the UK and US firsts appeared in 1924 from Putnam, with a frontispiece by S.H. Sime. The UK has precedence: a signed limited edition of 250 numbered copies issued in May 1924, followed by the UK trade edition in June; the New York Putnam edition followed in October. Distinguish UK from US by the title-page imprint (the London and New York imprint denotes the UK issue; the imprint beginning with New York denotes the US issue), and confirm the 1924 date with no later printing 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. The UK Putnam edition takes precedence, led by the May 1924 signed limited edition of 250 copies, then the June trade edition; the New York Putnam edition is the US first, issued in October 1924. A cornerstone of pre-Tolkien fantasy.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition applies; the trap is the Ballantine Adult Fantasy paperback and other later reprints. Verify the 1924 Putnam imprint and use the title-page imprint to tell UK from US.
I have a first edition of The King of Elfland's Daughter — 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.