The points of issue
First British edition published by Methuen, London, 1954; first American edition published by Random House, New York, the same year. Both are dated 1954.
Is this the true first?
The UK first edition is Methuen, not The Bodley Head, which did not publish this title. Methuen and Random House both issued the book in 1954; bibliographic precedence between the British and American editions is not firmly established, and the American Random House edition was in circulation by mid-1954.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue noted.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The World in the Evening a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First British edition published by Methuen, London, 1954; first American edition published by Random House, New York, the same year. Both are dated 1954.
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 first edition is Methuen, not The Bodley Head, which did not publish this title. Methuen and Random House both issued the book in 1954; bibliographic precedence between the British and American editions is not firmly established, and the American Random House edition was in circulation by mid
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue noted.
I have a first edition of The World in the Evening — 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.