My Uncle Oswald, cover of the Knopf : distributed by Random House, 1980 edition (the Joseph 1979 cover is not yet photographed)Knopf : distributed by Random House, 1980 cover

Cover of the Knopf : distributed by Random House, 1980 edition of this book. The Joseph 1979 jacket has not been photographed yet.

First edition Hardback

My Uncle Oswald (1979)

Publisher Joseph Year 1979 ISBN 9780718118167

Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 28 Oct 2026.

Market value

What decides the price

  • It is the first edition, which is the one collectors want.
  • The first printing is told from later ones by 1 point of issue listed below.
  • The original dust jacket carries much of the price for a book of this age; its condition matters as much as the book's.
  • Condition is graded separately for book and jacket, from Fine down to Poor.
Recorded sales
1

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Price history

1 recorded sale

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In short

Quick answer

How do I identify a My Uncle Oswald first edition?
Check these points. Dust jacket, front flap: Printed price on the front flap: £5.50. Each point is confirmed by at least two independent sources.
Who published the My Uncle Oswald first edition?
Joseph, London, in 1979, in hardback.
Identification

How to identify this edition

Michael Joseph published the novel in London in October 1979; Knopf's American edition followed in 1980. The first impression has a single 'First published' line with the date on the copyright page, and later impressions add lines below it. It is bound in blue cloth with the title on the spine (most dealers say gilt, a few say silver) and issued in a pictorial dust jacket priced £5.50. Many jackets are price clipped.

Printing by printing

Printings and states

First impression

1979

At a glance

Points of issue

  • Dust jacket, front flapPrinted price on the front flap: £5.50→ first issue jacket
Check my copy Answer for each point and we will tell you whether yours is the first impression.
  1. Dust jacket, front flap: Printed price on the front flap: £5.50

Has a number line? Read it with the number line decoder.

Notes

The cover image shows this book but may not be this edition or printing.

Questions collectors ask

Frequently asked questions

How do I identify a My Uncle Oswald first edition?

Check these points. Dust jacket, front flap: Printed price on the front flap: £5.50. Each point is confirmed by at least two independent sources.

Who published the My Uncle Oswald first edition?

Joseph, London, in 1979, in hardback.

Sources

Where these facts come from

Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 28 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.