The points of issue
First edition, first printing, published July 1957. The full title on the title page reads The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold: A Conversation Piece. Issued in blue cloth with a pictorial dust jacket. Waugh's largely autobiographical novel of his bromide-induced hallucinations.
Is this the true first?
Chapman & Hall (London) is the true first. A US edition followed from Little, Brown in 1957.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club reprints appeared later and are distinct from the trade first; no club issue precedes the Chapman & Hall first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing, published July 1957. The full title on the title page reads The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold: A Conversation Piece. Issued in blue cloth with a pictorial dust jacket. Waugh's largely autobiographical novel of his bromide-induced hallucinations.
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. Chapman & Hall (London) is the true first. A US edition followed from Little, Brown in 1957.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club reprints appeared later and are distinct from the trade first; no club issue precedes the Chapman & Hall first.
I have a first edition of The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold — 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.