1970 - Gold Mine
William Heinemann published the first British edition, and Doubleday published the first American edition.
William Heinemann reprinted GOLD MINE a few times: in 1974, 1979, 1984, and 1989 for a Uniform Edition.
I once asked Wilbur why the Dedication / Foreword page is missing from nearly every copy of the first Heinemann edition of GOLD MINE. A screenshot of my question and his response from July 2001 are below.
However, I recently acquired a letter from a Roger Smith to Laura Beadle, who worked for Heinemann in June 1990. Roger's explanation to Laura is not the explanation that Wilbur provided to me. See an image of the letter below.
It matters not whether Wilbur or Roger Smith is providing the real explanation. It is nearly always the case that first British editions are found sans the Dedication/Foreword Page.
I own an exceedingly rare Uncorrected Proof copy. This is even more scarce because Wilbur signed it for me.
And, it is again even more scarce because the original Dedication / Foreword page is still intact!
I own 4 copies of first printing of the British first edition, and 3 of them are pictured below. Wilbur signed all 4 of my copies.
One of my copies is extremely rare, for it still has the original Dedication / Foreword page intact.
The signature in one of my copies
The first British edition dust jacket is found with two different prices. The Australian dollar variant is extremely rare.
I once owned almost all of the Heinemann printings, but sold off all of the reprints
I have owned and sold numerous signed copies of GOLD MINE. All below are first printings.
This novel was quite the milestone for Wilbur. It was honored as a Collectors' Editions Club Choice, as declared on the front flap of the first British edition's dust jacket.
My copy of the Collector's Edition published by Heron Books is pictured below.
World Books reprinted GOLD MINE, and I once owned the signed copy shown below
A nicely-inscribed copy that is not mine, that I found on the Internet
Doubleday published its first edition in 1970
Doubleday never reprinted its first edition or published any later editions, so all copies are first printings of the first edition.
I own 2 copies of the American first edition, both of which are pictured below.
Wilbur signed both of my copies.
I once owned the signed copy below, but sold it to another collector
Many copies of the this edition were remainder-sprayed by Doubleday. It is tough to find a copy in collectible condition that has not been remaindered. I have owned copies with remainder spray on the bottom page edges of the book. Below is an example of what remainder spray looks like on Doubleday copies of GOLD MINE, DIAMOND HUNTERS, and EAGLE IN THE SKY, with THE SUNBIRD in the middle without remainder spray.
