This bibliography is targeted both to readers and collectors, containing information pertinent to each. There are definite holes, if you know a detail about one of the printings I'm missing, e.g., introductions, typesetting, DJ, please let me know. Oh, and if you're curious, those limited editions run into the thousands of dollars.
Jonathan Cape (1922). Hardcover - The edition to have if you are looking to collect Eddison. Black boards with gilt lettering. The hippogriff is stamped on the cover. The Ouroboros on the title page should be in red and black. Depending on the source, either 1500 or 1000 copies were printed, many of which went unsold and ended up as:
Jonathan Cape (1924). Hardcover - The "new and cheaper" edition, which was neither, apparently. The unsold remainder from the 1922 edition was offered for sale again, but with a new title page on thick paper pasted in proclaiming it to be "new and cheaper". Also apparently had a different jacket design, which I have not seen.
Albert & Charles Boni (1926). Hardcover - First American edition. Introduction by James Stephens.
E. P. Dutton (1952). Hardcover - Second American edition. Adds another introduction by Orville Prescott.
Crown/Xanadu (1962). Trade Paperback - Reprint of Dutton 2nd edition.
Ballantine (1967). Paperback. ISBN 02001-4-125 - An excellent choice if you're on a budget but don't want to read off of a monitor. The Ballantine edition is readily available and can usually be had for $1-4. The text was reset, based on the Dutton edition, but it contains all the illustrations, forewards, etc. of all preceding editions.
Pan (1972). Paperback. ISBN 0330238418 -
Dell Annotated Edition (1991). Trade Paperback. ISBN 0-440-50299-3 - By far the most desirable copy if you want to read the text. Excellent and copious annotations by Paul Edmond Thomas, as well as several well-written, but unfortunately spoiler-heavy introductions by Thomas and Douglas Winter. There is a major flaw with this edition however. The introductory poem, Thomas the Rhymer, and the Keith Henderson illustrations are missing. See my Worm Ouroboros page for what is missing.
Buccaneer Books (1993)
Gollancz (2000). Trade Paperback. ISBN 1857989937 - Unknown
Replica Books (2000). Hardcover. ISBN 0735101396 - Attempts to be as faithful as possible to the original British edition (including art), which is nice, but in the process loses all the later introductions.
Orion (2000). Trade Paperback. ISBN 1857989937 -
Wildside Press (2004). Trade Paperback. ISBN 0809594242 -
Sevenoaks: LongRead Books (2004). Hardcover. ISBN
Lightning Source Inc. Softcover. ISBN 1419188887 - Print on demand
Lightning Source Inc. Hardcover. ISBN 0809595192 - Print on demand
Free e-text - available on the Sacred
Texts Archive among others. Ok if you don't mind reading on the
screen. Some versions do not have the illustrations, this one does.
Mistress of Mistresses
Faber & Faber (1935). First edition. Full vellum-style parchment paper boards, spine lettered in gilt, device on front cover in gilt. Twelve copies were printed as presentation copies for the author on hand-made paper, with a handwritten limitation page, signed by Eddison.
Faber and Faber (1935). Hardcover - First trade edition. Blue boards with red label on spine, gilt lettering. Dust jacket is plain, unillustrated white or cream with blue lettering.
E.
P. Dutton (1935). Hardcover - First American edition. Gray boards,
white DJ.
Ballantine (1967). Paperback. ISBN 034527220X -
Del Rey (1977). Paperback.
Gollancz (2001). Trade paperback. ISBN 0575072849 -
A Fish Dinner in Memison
E.
P. Dutton & Co. (1941). Hardcover - First edition. No British HC was
ever produced. The Dutton printing was limited to 998 numbered copies.
DJ is white/cream with blue lettering.
Ballantine (1968). Paperback. ISBN 0345020324 -
Pan (1972). Paperback. ISBN 0345272226
Del Rey (1978). Paperback. ISBN 0-345-27222-6
The Mezentian Gate
Curwen
(1958). Hardcover - First edition, privately printed by Eric's
brother Colin.
Ballantine (1969). Paperback. ISBN 0345272218 -
Pan (1972). Paperback. ISBN
Del Rey (1978). Paperback. ISBN 0345278615 -
Omnibus Editions
Dell Annotated One-Volume Edition (1992; published as Zimiamvia: A Trilogy). Trade Paperback. ISBN 0-440-50300-0 - Once again, the Dell one-volume edition is by far superior to anything else. It includes material in The Mezentian Gate not present in previous editions. Unfortunately, this edition also suffers from the lack of Keith Henderson illustrations, and unlike Worm, it is still under copyright, so I cannot provide scans. Grab the Ballantine editions along with this one.
Cambridge University Press (1930). Hardover - First edition. Maroon cloth lettered in gilt. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Fourteen
copies were printed for the author on specially bound, hand-made paper, with a hand-written limitation by Eddison.
Cambridge University Press (1930). Hardcover - First trade edition of
Eddison's translation of this Icelandic saga. Contains two double maps.
Greenwood Press (1968). - Contains genealogical tables, maps, and
bibliographical references
Jonathan Cape (1926). First edition. Black cloth designed and lettered in gold. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Twelve copies were
printed as presentation copies for the author on handmade paper, with a signed limitation statement in Eddison's hand.
Jonathan Cape (1926). Hardcover - First trade edition.
Albert & Charles Boni (1926). Hardcover - First American editon.
Arno Press (1978). Hardover. ISBN 040510975X - ?
Ballantine (1969; in The Young Magicians). Paperback. ISBN 3450173073 - A short excerpt "In Valhalla" from
Styrbiorn. The easiest way to get a taste of this work. Worth it
just for the several other very little-known pieces by older fantasists.