The points of issue
Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later printing line; dust jacket priced 7.95 with cover art by Rick Sternbach. Octavo in blue quarter cloth over blue paper boards.
Is this the true first?
US Holt, Rinehart and Winston first hardcover is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the priced jacket and typically carries a blind stamp on the rear board; text block paper is the same cheap stock that tans.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A World Out of Time a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later printing line; dust jacket priced 7.95 with cover art by Rick Sternbach. Octavo in blue quarter cloth over blue paper boards.
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. US Holt, Rinehart and Winston first hardcover is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the priced jacket and typically carries a blind stamp on the rear board; text block paper is the same cheap stock that tans.
I have a first edition of A World Out of Time — 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.