The points of issue
London: Faber & Faber, 1964. Published 10 April 1964. Publisher's purple cloth, gilt titles to spine; first-issue dust jacket with a four-colour pictorial design by John Piper, priced 18s net to the front flap, unclipped. Copyright page reads 'First published in 1964' by Faber and Faber, printed by R. MacLehose and Company at the University Press, Glasgow.
Is this the true first?
The UK Faber edition (1964) is the true first, preceding the US Harcourt, Brace & World edition (1964).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions add a printing statement to the copyright page; price-clipped or later jackets are not first-issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Spire a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: London: Faber & Faber, 1964. Published 10 April 1964. Publisher's purple cloth, gilt titles to spine; first-issue dust jacket with a four-colour pictorial design by John Piper, priced 18s net to the front flap, unclipped. Copyright page reads 'First published in 1964' by Faber and Faber, printed by R. MacLehose and Company at the University Press, Glasgow.
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 Faber edition (1964) is the true first, preceding the US Harcourt, Brace & World edition (1964).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later impressions add a printing statement to the copyright page; price-clipped or later jackets are not first-issue.
I have a first edition of The Spire — 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.