The points of issue
First edition, first printing has the full Del Rey number line ending in 1 on the copyright page, with the price present on the jacket.
Is this the true first?
The US Del Rey hardcover and the UK Voyager (HarperCollins) hardcover both appeared in 1997; the US Del Rey edition is the one identified by its number line, though the two are close in date.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition is identifiable by a 'Book Club Edition' notation and the absence of a printed price on the jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of 3001: The Final Odyssey a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing has the full Del Rey number line ending in 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 and the UK Voyager (HarperCollins) hardcover both appeared in 1997; the US Del Rey edition is the one identified by its number line, though the two are close in date.
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 printed price on the jacket.
I have a first edition of 3001: The Final Odyssey — 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.