1982 - The Angels Weep
William Heinemann published the first British edition, and Doubleday published the first American edition.
William Heinemann reprinted THE ANGELS WEEP a few times: in 1982 (twice in the same year as the first printing), and 1989 for a Uniform Edition. A British Review Copy from Canada has a publication date of May 1982. Not sure if the UK had copies available for purchase prior to May 1982 or not. My copy that Wilbur gave ot his mom has "April 1982" in his handwriting. See below.
I own an exceedingly rare Uncorrected Proof copy
Below: my nicest copy of the British first edition
I own 3 more copies of the first printing of the British first edition. Wilbur signed 3 of my copies.
The very copy that Wilbur gifted to his mother-in-law is now in my collection. "Mom" is Danielle's mother.
I have not seen another signed copy where Wilbur included a date, making this copy even more rare that it already is.
The signature within one of my copies
Below: A Review Copy of the Heinemann first edition from Canada
Below: A unique signed copy that I found on the Internet, not my copy
I have owned and sold several signed copies of THE ANGELS WEEP. The copies below are first printings.
Doubleday published its first edition in 1983
I own an exceedingly rare Uncorrected Proof copy
The paper below is glued to the inside front cover of the Uncorrected Proof
I have never found a copy of THE ANGELS WEEP that has on its copyright page any statement to the effect that it is a first edition. Nothing like 'First Edition in the United States of America' found in earlier Wilbur Smith Doubleday editions, such as A SPARROW FALLS or EAGLE IN THE SKY, appears on the copyright page for THE ANGELS WEEP.
However, the Uncorrected Proof DOES STATE on its copyright page that it is a first edition. Due to the extreme rarity of copies of the Uncorrected Proof, I may be the only collector of Wilbur Smith books who owns a Doubleday edition of THE ANGELS WEEP that is a stated "first edition."
I own 1 copy of the American first edition
