Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 20 Oct 2026.
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After a single copyright reading at Newcastle upon Tyne in March 1899, the play first appeared in book form in Three Plays for Puritans, published by Grant Richards in London in January 1901, alongside The Devil's Disciple and Captain Brassbound's Conversion with Shaw's preface. It is a small octavo of xxxviii (some catalogues say xxxvii or xxxix) plus 308 pages, in green cloth that often fades to olive or brown, with gilt spine lettering and photogravure plates. The first carries the Grant Richards imprint; later printings under other imprints are not firsts.
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.
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Grant Richards, London, in 1901, in hardback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 20 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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