McKay, Scott and Whatmore claim the first appearance of THE WORLD'S DESIRE was as a serialization in THE NEW REVIEW from April through December 1890, but without any illustrations.
McKay, Scott and Whatmore agree that Longmans, Green, and Co. published its first edition on November 5, 1890 in London, without illustrations. The first edition comprises 10,000 copies. Ads at the end of the first editions are date-coded 10/90 (October 1890).
Harper & Brothers published in New York its first edition in 1890, without any illustrations.
See the VisualHaggard.org page dedicated to the illustrations found in various editions.