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First-Edition Identification · Ali Smith

Is My Winter a First Edition?

Hamish Hamilton, 2017

The points of issue

Hardback in boards with gilt spine lettering, in dust jacket. First impression carries a complete number line ending in 1. Second volume of the Seasonal Quartet.

Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · Hamish Hamilton first-edition guide.

Is this the true first?

The UK Hamish Hamilton edition of 2017 is the true first, preceding the US Pantheon edition of 2018.

Telling it from reprints & book-club editions

Later impressions are indicated by a number line that no longer ends in 1.

Frequently asked questions

Is my copy of Winter a first edition?

Look for these first-edition points: Hardback in boards with gilt spine lettering, in dust jacket. First impression carries a complete number line ending in 1. Second volume of the Seasonal Quartet.

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 2017 is the true first, preceding the US Pantheon edition of 2018.

Is the book-club edition the same as the first?

Later impressions are indicated by a number line that no longer ends in 1.

I have a first edition of Winter — 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.

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