The points of issue
Morrow first edition stated on the copyright page with a complete number line down to 1. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Matthew Scudder novel; winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1992).
Is this the true first?
The US William Morrow edition (1991) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition is common: blind-stamp to the rear board and no price on the jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Dance at the Slaughterhouse a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Morrow first edition stated on the copyright page with a complete number line down to 1. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Matthew Scudder novel; winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1992).
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 William Morrow edition (1991) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition is common: blind-stamp to the rear board and no price on the jacket.
I have a first edition of A Dance at the Slaughterhouse — 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.