# Is "Alvin Journeyman" by Orson Scott Card a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Alvin Journeyman by Orson Scott Card (Tor Books, 1995) is identified by: Tor hardcover (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book IV) in black paper-covered boards with gilt-titled spine and map-decorated endpapers; jacket art by Dennis Nolan. The US Tor hardcover (1995) is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor hardcover (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book IV) in black paper-covered boards with gilt-titled spine and map-decorated endpapers; jacket art by Dennis Nolan
- The copyright page states 'First Edition' with a full number line running to 1 on first printings, and the jacket carries its printed price on the front flap
- Won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1995 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor hardcover (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book IV) in black paper-covered boards with gilt-titled spine and map-decorated endpapers; jacket art… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor hardcover (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book IV) in black paper-covered boards with gilt-titled spine and map-decorated endpapers; jacket art by Dennis Nolan. The copyright page states 'First Edition' with a full number line running to 1 on first printings, and the jacket carries its printed price on the front flap. Won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor hardcover (1995) is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists; it is distinguished by a blind-stamped code to the rear board and a jacket without a printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Alvin Journeyman* by Orson Scott Card a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/alvin-journeyman
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.