The points of issue
First printing; the magician Oliver Haddo is modeled on Aleister Crowley. UK Heinemann 1908 precedes the US Duffield edition of 1909.
Is this the true first?
UK Heinemann is the true first; US Duffield followed in 1909.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Magician a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing; the magician Oliver Haddo is modeled on Aleister Crowley. UK Heinemann 1908 precedes the US Duffield edition of 1909.
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 is the true first; US Duffield followed in 1909.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of The Magician — 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.