The points of issue
Story collection. Cloth boards with gilt-stamped spine and a priced dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
The UK Hamish Hamilton edition of 2003 is the true first and precedes the US Anchor edition of 2004.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints and later impressions add the impression statement on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Whole Story and Other Stories a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Story collection. Cloth boards with gilt-stamped spine and a priced dust jacket.
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 Hamish Hamilton edition of 2003 is the true first and precedes the US Anchor edition of 2004.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Reprints and later impressions add the impression statement on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of The Whole Story and Other Stories — 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.