This Section includes novels and semi-autobiographical works that appeared in book form for the first time. The database is in chronological order according to publication date. It lists those items which have been approved for acceptance to the Collection.

The McIlvaine Bibliography assigned specific numbers to identify each of those editions. Please see the homepage introduction to this database for a brief explanation of McIlvaine numbers.

The goal for Section A is to acquire both the first U.K. edition/issue with dust wrapper of each title, and the first U.S. edition/issue with dust wrapper of each title.

Additional Editions/Issues Desired for the Collection

Some titles are very rare and will be difficult to acquire in a first edition/issue. In those instances, the Collection will accept a “closest to first edition/issue possible” copy, awaiting the possible future upgrade to a first edition/issue copy. The best indicator of this type of title is a McIlvaine number in which the final “a” or “b” is followed by a “2” or higher numeral.

There were some titles with substantial rewrites or variants of a title. As above, a final “a” or “b” followed by “2, 3, 4 or 5” is an indicator of those types of editions/issues.

Condition Guidelines for Acceptance

Please consult the Condition Guidelines and Condition Level tables on the homepage for the Edition, Dust Wrapper and Condition requirements for donations to the Collection.

Additional Notes

Correspondence with Wodehouse scholars indicates that although items A1b, A2b, A3b, A5b and A8b are listed in the McIlvaine Bibliography, it is questionable they were actually published.

For some issues and variants, colors and further descriptions are given in the notes column as a means of further identifying the item. It should be noted that over time, colors may have faded, gold lettering may no longer be gold.

There are a few titles in this Section, because they may be harder to acquire as first editions with dust wrappers of sufficient condition level, that are being shelved side-by-side as pairs of books. As an example, one book of appropriate quality with no dust wrapper is shelved side-by-side with another book of the same title in lesser condition that does have a dust wrapper. This method showcases the better quality book, but also shows the dust wrapper, while awaiting donation of a copy of the title with both the book and dust wrapper in appropriate condition.

Other Database Sections Related to Novels and Semi-Autobiographical Works

Immediately following this database is the Section A: Barrie & Jenkins Edition database.

Section K: Named Editions includes novels in the Autograph Series.

Section AA: Paperback Editions, Penguin includes novels and semi-autobiographical works published in paperback by Penguin.

The 1969-1979 Barrie & Jenkins series is notable. Many of the more than 60 titles have new prefaces by Wodehouse, and except for the first few, are uniform in look.

The titles in this edition were assigned McIlvaine numbers under Section A, in order of publication.

Titles of a similar set, The Autograph Edition, are listed in the McIlvaine Bibliography Section A, but are also listed in the Bibliography’s Section K, with each book also being assigned a McIlvaine number beginning with the prefix K. The Mcilvaine Bibliography Section A listings cross-reference the McIlvaine K numbers.