Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 22 Oct 2026.
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We value a printing from verified sales of that exact printing, and none of the first impression has come to auction in our records so far. The chart and the value by condition appear here as soon as one does.
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The first of Agatha Christie's six novels as Mary Westmacott, published by William Collins, Sons in London in April 1930 as a hardback of 448 pages, priced at 7s. 6d.; Doubleday issued the American edition the same year. Only the Westmacott name appears. The first edition jacket was designed by Margaret Macadam and is not signed; her original artwork for it sold in 2016. Jacketed copies are scarce. Later editions (Dell 1964, Arbor House 1973, Fontana 1975, Ulverscroft large print 1980) are not firsts; any copy carrying an ISBN is a later edition, so check for the 1930 Collins imprint. Little dealer or auction detail on the binding was found.
Read the full guide to Collins 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.
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Collins, London, in 1930, in hardback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 22 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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Read the guide →7 min readTo identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
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