The points of issue
Walker and Company first hardcover, 1974. Orange paper-covered boards stamped in purple, octavo, 238 pages; dust jacket priced on the front flap. Eleven stories with a foreword by Michael Crichton and Dillon cover art.
Is this the true first?
US Walker first hardcover is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the jacket price and typically carry a blind-stamped indentation on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Approaching Oblivion a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Walker and Company first hardcover, 1974. Orange paper-covered boards stamped in purple, octavo, 238 pages; dust jacket priced on the front flap. Eleven stories with a foreword by Michael Crichton and Dillon cover art.
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 Walker first hardcover is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the jacket price and typically carry a blind-stamped indentation on the rear board.
I have a first edition of Approaching Oblivion — 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.