Cover of another edition of this book. The Serpent's Tail 1997 jacket has not been photographed yet.
Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 20 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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A first impression of a Serpent's Tail hardback carries a complete number line on the copyright page that includes 1.
How to read it
Read the full guide to Serpent's Tail 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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The cover image shows this book but may not be this edition or printing.
Serpent's Tail, London, in 1997, 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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