The points of issue
Orbit UK hardcover; copyright page states first published in Great Britain by Orbit 1993 with no later printings indicated; black boards with silver spine lettering; priced, unclipped jacket.
Is this the true first?
UK Orbit hardcover (1993) is the true first; the US Bantam Spectra edition (1993) was a paperback original.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Against a Dark Background a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Orbit UK hardcover; copyright page states first published in Great Britain by Orbit 1993 with no later printings indicated; black boards with silver spine lettering; priced, unclipped 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. UK Orbit hardcover (1993) is the true first; the US Bantam Spectra edition (1993) was a paperback original.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Against a Dark Background — 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.