Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 3 Nov 2026.
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Faber and Faber of London published the first edition in 1957, with plates and illustrations in the text. Dealers describe the binding as red cloth with a gilt vignette on the front board and gilt lettering on the spine; one of those copies is a second impression, so the binding alone does not identify a first printing and the imprint on the reverse of the title page must be checked. Faber reprinted heavily: library records include fifth and sixth impressions dated 1958. Readers Union issued a book club edition in 1958, identified by its Readers Union imprint.
A Faber first edition has a single "First published" line on the back of the title page with no reprint dates beneath it; on older books the year in that line is written in Roman numerals, as in "First published in mcml".
Allen and Patricia Ahearn's publisher list for ILAB gives the "First published" statement, says later printings are noted, and says the year was in Roman numerals before the switch to Arabic. Several unrelated dealers offering 1950 Faber firsts describe the same thing: "First published in mcml" on the verso and no other printings listed.
Read the full guide to Faber & Faber first editions, decade by decade, and check your copy's copyright page against it. Our number line decoder reads the printing from the row of numbers.
We have not yet confirmed the issue points that tell this first impression from later ones. Until we do, compare your copy's title page and copyright page with the publisher, place and year above: any later printing or edition statement means it is not this one.
Know the points? Tell us. We publish them, with credit, once a second source agrees.
Faber & Faber, London, in 1957, in hardback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 3 November 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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