Brave New World is a novel by , published by in 1932.

First Edition Identification Points

All of the following points must be present to ensure a true first edition / first printing.

• The page before the title page has the following text:

324 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED
OF THIS EDITION; 314 ARE FOR SALE
NO. [1-314]
Aldous Huxley’s signature

• Boards are buckram yellow over bevel-edged boards
• The spine has a blue leather label with gilt lettering at the top
• Top edge gilt with other page edges untrimmed

Later Editions’ Identification Points

The applicable printing numbers are listed in brackets when known.

• No later printings of this particular edition exist

Publication History

Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World at his house in Sanary-sur-Mer, France in 1931. The idea for the novel started as a parody or revolt against H. G. Wells’ utopian narratives that were popular at the time. Based on Huxley’s letters he probably started writing in April or early May but would overhaul the work between May and August. Rather than a revolt or parody of Wells, the book became focused on an anti-utopia or dystopia more like the one found in We by Yevgeny Zamgatin (which Huxley publicly denied having read despite mentioning it in a private letter). It was completed by August 24th, 1931. Chatto & Windus (who had published Huxley’s previous novels) printed and released 324 signed copies (314 of which were for sale) of a signed, limited edition version of Brave New World on January 21st, 1932. The first trade edition would follow two weeks later on February 4th.