The Future of an Illusion
The Future of an Illusion (Die Zukunft einer Illusion) is Sigmund Freud's study of religion, published in 1927 by the Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag. Freud traces religious belief to human wishes, above all for a protecting father. Hogarth Press, London, issued the English text in 1928.
- Editions tracked
- 3
- First edition
- Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag, 1927
- First published
- Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag, Leipzig, Vienna and Zurich, 1927
- First UK edition
- Hogarth Press, 1928
The first edition of The Future of an Illusion by Sigmund Freud was published in Leipzig by Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag in 1927. We track 3 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag1927 Other I own The Future of an Illusion, Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag 1927 Log in to want this
Later and other editions
- Liveright1928 Hardback I own The Future of an Illusion, Liveright 1928 Log in to want this
- Published by Leonard & Virginia Woolf at the Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis1928 Hardback I own The Future of an Illusion, Published by Leonard & Virginia Woolf at the Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis 1928 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Read next
- Followed by
- Civilization and Its Discontents
In print
- Editions recorded
- 43 on Open Library, 27 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 15 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
Pictures of the book
Freely licensed pictures of the work. They are not necessarily the edition you hold: check the points on each edition's page.
More by Sigmund Freud
- The Interpretation of Dreams1899 · 3 editions
- Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality1905 · 2 editions
- Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious1905 · 3 editions
- Totem and Taboo1913 · 3 editions
- On Dreams1914 · 2 editions
- The Psychopathology of Everyday Life1914 · 1 edition
- Leonardo Da Vinci1916 · 2 editions
- Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex1918 · 1 edition
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How to Identify a First Edition
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For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Future of an Illusion?
The first edition of The Future of an Illusion by Sigmund Freud was published in Leipzig by Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag in 1927.
How many editions of The Future of an Illusion are there?
We track 3 editions of The Future of an Illusion, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
What should I read after The Future of an Illusion?
In order, it is followed by Civilization and Its Discontents, according to Wikidata.
Can I read The Future of an Illusion for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.
Where these facts come from
- The Future of an Illusion, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Die Zukunft einer Illusion, Wikipedia (German) (de.wikipedia.org)
- The future of an illusion (Hogarth Press 1928 edition record), Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 28 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.