The points of issue
Copyright page states First Edition with the Borzoi device; first-issue cloth and jacket carry the printed price on the flap.
Is this the true first?
The US Knopf 2010 edition is the true first; the stated First Edition is the point. The UK Corsair edition is a separate issue.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition lacks the First Edition statement and typically carries a blind-stamp to the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Visit from the Goon Squad a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states First Edition with the Borzoi device; first-issue cloth and jacket carry the printed price on the flap.
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 Knopf 2010 edition is the true first; the stated First Edition is the point. The UK Corsair edition is a separate issue.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book-club edition lacks the First Edition statement and typically carries a blind-stamp to the rear board.
I have a first edition of A Visit from the Goon Squad — 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.