The points of issue
UK Flamingo trade paperback, 1998; the print adaptation of Ryman's hypertext work; first printing per the HarperCollins number line.
Is this the true first?
The UK Flamingo 1998 paperback is the true first print edition (first thus relative to the online original). Won the 1999 Philip K. Dick Award; the print remix was the eligible print form.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The online 253 predates it but is not a print book. The St. Martin's Press US edition of 1998 is the first US printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of 253: The Print Remix a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: UK Flamingo trade paperback, 1998; the print adaptation of Ryman's hypertext work; first printing per the HarperCollins number line.
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 UK Flamingo 1998 paperback is the true first print edition (first thus relative to the online original). Won the 1999 Philip K. Dick Award; the print remix was the eligible print form.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The online 253 predates it but is not a print book. The St. Martin's Press US edition of 1998 is the first US printing.
I have a first edition of 253: The Print Remix — 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.