The points of issue
Discworld 37. UK Doubleday, published 8 October 2009. First printing shows the Doubleday countdown number line ending in 1 (2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1) on the copyright page. A separate numbered, slipcased limited edition of 3,000 copies also exists.
Is this the true first?
Publication was near-simultaneous: the US Harper edition was released 6 October 2009, two days before the UK Doubleday of 8 October. The UK Doubleday is the edition collectors of this British author treat as the primary first, but strict date precedence belongs to the US Harper.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings show a number line that no longer reaches 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Unseen Academicals a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Discworld 37. UK Doubleday, published 8 October 2009. First printing shows the Doubleday countdown number line ending in 1 (2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1) on the copyright page. A separate numbered, slipcased limited edition of 3,000 copies also exists.
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. Publication was near-simultaneous: the US Harper edition was released 6 October 2009, two days before the UK Doubleday of 8 October. The UK Doubleday is the edition collectors of this British author treat as the primary first, but strict date precedence belongs to the US Harper.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings show a number line that no longer reaches 1.
I have a first edition of Unseen Academicals — 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.