1978 - Hungry as the Sea

William Heinemann published the first British edition, and Doubleday published the first American edition.

William Heinemann reprinted HUNGRY AS THE SEA a few times: in 1978 (same year as the first printing), 1989 for a Uniform Edition, and again in 1992 for the Uniform Edition.

I own an exceedingly rare Uncorrected Proof copy

I own 4 copies of the first printing of the British first edition, and 3 of them are pictured below. Wilbur signed all 4 of my copies.

The very copy that Wilbur gifted to his mother-in-law is now in my collection. "Mom" is Danielle's mother.

The signature in one of my copies

Below: The unique inscription and date make this signed copy of mine very rare

Below: My copy inscribed and signed "For Ray." Apparently "Ray" is/was in the book-trade and assisted Wilbur somehow related to the publication of this novel in Britain. Enclosed within this book is a postcard-size card revealing advertising for the Pan paperback edition, plus a hand-written letter dated August 17, 1978.

I have owned and sold several signed copies of HUNGRY AS THE SEA. All below are first printings, except the Uniform Edition.

Doubleday published its first edition in 1980

I own an exceedingly rare Uncorrected Proof copy

Note its extra-tall height

Doubleday reprinted its first edition so not all copies are first printings of the first edition

The copyright page has to state 'First Edition in the United States of America'

Note: even though the Uncorrected Proof has 1979 on the title-page, the first edition published for sale to the public does not have any date on its title-page.

I own a signed copy of the American first edition

My signed copy of the American first edition came with an actual photograph of Wilbur

A hand-written letter on Wilbur's South African stationery

I owned and sold the signed copy of HUNGRY AS THE SEA below