The points of issue
First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1931, in purple cloth with the Vanessa Bell dust jacket; copyright page without a later-printing statement. Precedes the US Harcourt edition.
Is this the true first?
UK Hogarth Press 1931 is the true first; the US Harcourt, Brace edition (1931) is the first American edition and follows. The Vanessa Bell jacket is the first-issue jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US first is a separate issue; later Hogarth printings note impressions. The Bell jacket and the binding state are key identifiers.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Waves a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1931, in purple cloth with the Vanessa Bell dust jacket; copyright page without a later-printing statement. Precedes the US Harcourt edition.
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. UK Hogarth Press 1931 is the true first; the US Harcourt, Brace edition (1931) is the first American edition and follows. The Vanessa Bell jacket is the first-issue jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The US first is a separate issue; later Hogarth printings note impressions. The Bell jacket and the binding state are key identifiers.
I have a first edition of The Waves — 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.