# Is "The Sculptress" by Minette Walters a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Sculptress by Minette Walters (Macmillan, 1993) is identified by: UK Macmillan London edition (1993), first edition/first printing. The UK Macmillan edition (1993) is generally accepted as the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- UK Macmillan London edition
- , first edition/first printing
- Octavo, 308 pages, bound in original red cloth (paper-covered boards) with gilt spine titling
- The first-issue jacket is unclipped, retaining its printed price to the inside front flap
- Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel
- and the Macavity Award
- Publisher imprint reads Macmillan

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Minette Walters |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
| Year | 1993 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | UK Macmillan London edition |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
UK Macmillan London edition (1993), first edition/first printing. Octavo, 308 pages, bound in original red cloth (paper-covered boards) with gilt spine titling. The first-issue jacket is unclipped, retaining its printed price to the inside front flap. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1994) and the Macavity Award.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Macmillan edition (1993) is generally accepted as the true first. The US St. Martin's Press edition is also dated 1993 (stated 'First U.S. Edition: October, 1993'); the two appeared the same year and dealers treat the UK issue as preceding, though the gap is narrow.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions exist in both markets, typically with a blind-stamp to the rear board and no printed jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Sculptress* by Minette Walters a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-sculptress
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.