The points of issue
First edition, first printing has the complete Del Rey number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page, with the price present on the jacket.
Is this the true first?
The US Del Rey hardcover, dated 1987, is the true first; the UK Grafton Books hardcover followed in 1988.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition is identifiable by a 'Book Club Edition' notation and the absence of a price on the jacket flap.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of 2061: Odyssey Three a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing has the complete Del Rey number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page, with the price present on the jacket.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US Del Rey hardcover, dated 1987, is the true first; the UK Grafton Books hardcover followed in 1988.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book club edition is identifiable by a 'Book Club Edition' notation and the absence of a price on the jacket flap.
I have a first edition of 2061: Odyssey Three — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.