The points of issue
First trade edition identified by a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; priced, unclipped jacket. Posthumous collection of new and unpublished writings on war and peace, with an introduction by Mark Vonnegut.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 2008 G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York) edition, published posthumously.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Armageddon in Retrospect a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First trade edition identified by a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; priced, unclipped jacket. Posthumous collection of new and unpublished writings on war and peace, with an introduction by Mark Vonnegut.
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. True first is the 2008 G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York) edition, published posthumously.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Armageddon in Retrospect — 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.