The points of issue
UK first: Geoffrey Bles, London, 1952, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. The true first shows no impression or reprint statement on the verso of the title page (no number line in this era; dated title page with a clean verso indicates first printing). First-issue jacket lists only the Narnia titles published to that point.
Is this the true first?
The UK Geoffrey Bles edition is the true first, preceding the US Macmillan edition (New York, 1952).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings carry an impression note on the verso and a longer jacket title-list. The US Macmillan edition is a separate publication and is not the UK first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: UK first: Geoffrey Bles, London, 1952, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. The true first shows no impression or reprint statement on the verso of the title page (no number line in this era; dated title page with a clean verso indicates first printing). First-issue jacket lists only the Narnia titles published to that point.
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 Geoffrey Bles edition is the true first, preceding the US Macmillan edition (New York, 1952).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings carry an impression note on the verso and a longer jacket title-list. The US Macmillan edition is a separate publication and is not the UK first.
I have a first edition of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader — 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.