The points of issue
First printing; the novel reworking the Excalibur legend through a Welsh-Jewish family. UK Hutchinson 1989 is the accepted first; a US Random House edition also appeared in 1989.
Is this the true first?
UK Hutchinson 1989 true first; US Random House 1989.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Any Old Iron a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing; the novel reworking the Excalibur legend through a Welsh-Jewish family. UK Hutchinson 1989 is the accepted first; a US Random House edition also appeared in 1989.
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 Hutchinson 1989 true first; US Random House 1989.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of Any Old Iron — 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.