The points of issue
French first, Gallimard, 1947, in printed wrappers, with the achevé d'imprimer dated May 1947. A tiered grand-papier issue precedes the ordinary trade copies: a small number on Japon imperial, then on Hollande, then 215 numbered copies on vélin pur fil Lafuma-Navarre, ahead of the much larger alfa Navarre printing. The ordinary trade copies carry the 1947 achevé d'imprimer with no later reprint statement; service de presse copies lack the printed price.
Is this the true first?
The French Gallimard edition is the true first. It precedes both the UK Hamish Hamilton (1948) and US Knopf (1948) English editions, both in the Stuart Gilbert translation; of the two English issues, Hamish Hamilton precedes Knopf.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The distinction between the ordinary alfa trade issue and the earlier numbered grand-papier copies (notably the vélin pur fil) is the key point. Later Gallimard printings show higher mille statements. The Gilbert English translation is not the world first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Plague (La Peste) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: French first, Gallimard, 1947, in printed wrappers, with the achevé d'imprimer dated May 1947. A tiered grand-papier issue precedes the ordinary trade copies: a small number on Japon imperial, then on Hollande, then 215 numbered copies on vélin pur fil Lafuma-Navarre, ahead of the much larger alfa Navarre printing. The ordinary trade copies carry the 1947 achevé d'imprimer with no later reprint statement; service de presse copies lack the printed price.
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 French Gallimard edition is the true first. It precedes both the UK Hamish Hamilton (1948) and US Knopf (1948) English editions, both in the Stuart Gilbert translation; of the two English issues, Hamish Hamilton precedes Knopf.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The distinction between the ordinary alfa trade issue and the earlier numbered grand-papier copies (notably the vélin pur fil) is the key point. Later Gallimard printings show higher mille statements. The Gilbert English translation is not the world first.
I have a first edition of The Plague (La Peste) — 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.